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Germany’s Wacken Festival Bans Backpacks In Bid To Prevent Terrorist Attacks

Backpacks are now on the banned list at the 2016 instalment of Wacken Open Air, one of the world’s biggest metal festivals.

Organisers are tightening security in the wake of an increase in terrorist attacks across Europe.

“We update our security plan constantly, counting in recent events such as bad weather or the security situation in Germany. Because of that our staff knows what to do and is well prepared,” founder Thomas Jensen told Billboard.

“Due to the recent events we decided that backpacks and all kind of bags are no longer allowed on the festival grounds.”

He added: “The main reason for this is to simplify the individual searches at the entrance. Searching backpacks takes up a lot of time.”

Apparently last year’s devastating attacks on Paris’s Bataclan Theatre also informed an update in security protocols for this year’s Wacken.

“Security is always an issue for us. After the attack in Paris at the Bataclan concert venue, we analyzed the scenario with the police and gained some important insights,” Jensen told a German website (via Blabbermouth).

“The police told us what we need to look out for. They have the most experience and best training in these matters.”

85,000 attendees are expected at the 2016 edition of Wacken Open Air, which takes place in Wacken, a farming village with 1,800 residents that sits 50 miles northwest of Hamburg between August 4th-6th.

Some of the confirmed performers include Blind Guardian, Ministry, Steel Panther, DragonForce, and more.

Watch: Airbourne – Live At Wacken 2011

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