Munich evacuates train stations amid ‘imminent’ terror threat

BERLIN — Police in Munich asked people to stay away from the city’s main train station and a second train station in the city’s Pasing neighborhood Thursday night because of “serious, imminent threat” of a terror attack.

“Current indications show that a terror attack is being planned in Munich. Please avoid gatherings of people and the Munich and Pasing train stations,” police said in a tweet.

Both stations have been evacuated, they said, and train services were no longer running at the two stations.

Police said they had “reliable information” that a group was planning to act as festivities were well under way on New Year’s Eve. Officials said they had received two different, “concrete” tips but did not elaborate on the nature of the threat or who had warned them.

Although the train stations have been evacuated, the spokeswoman said it could not be ruled out that the attackers could seek another target.

The warning came about an hour before the city rang in the new year. Despite the police statement, thousands of people were on the streets of Munich at midnight to welcome the new year with fireworks.

European capitals are on high security alert, with Brussels and Paris both scrapping fireworks for New Year’s celebrations.

In Berlin, the police presence has been stepped up at the Brandenburg Gate, where hundreds of thousands of people have gathered for festivities. All large bags and backpacks have been banned from the site of the huge street party.