Evacuation of Munich Train Stations Due to 'Terrorist Threat'

With unprecedented security measures in several cities around the world during the New Year's celebrations, the German police have evacuated and blocked the main train stations in Munich following received information about a potential suicide attack. German news agency reports that concerns over a 'conspiracy to carry out a terrorist attack' led officials to evacuate the main train station in Munich. Hubertus Andrae, the head of Munich police, stated that the information received pertained to a plot for a 'suicide' attack. German officials have also reported that activities at a station in the 'Pasing' area were halted due to a 'specific threat.' Nearly 550 police forces have been deployed in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, in public places. Joachim Herrmann, the Bavarian Interior Minister, told reporters on January 1st that the information regarding a potential attack came from 'the security forces of a friendly country' and that this information was 'very concrete.' According to this state official, 'members of the group known as the Islamic State' had a plan to carry out an attack. The evacuation of the Munich train station coincides with reports of arrests in Belgium and the United States, which were also made to prevent 'terrorist operations' during the New Year's celebrations. Alongside the arrests, some capitals and major cities around the world, such as Moscow, have canceled their usual public New Year's celebrations. In some cities, like Brussels, firework displays have been canceled, or in certain areas of India, the flying of small drones has been restricted due to security concerns.