Oktoberfest off to a bad start for Aussies

Just two days into Germany's Oktoberfest celebration, one Australian man is dead and another in jail. The man who died was running alongside a train close to his campsite outside of Munich after the festival, when he fell underneath the train's wheels.

Another Aussie was arrested just a few hours into the festival, after he threw a beer stein into a crowd and injured two teenagers. Oktoberfest organizers say that beer consumptions is up so far this year. 5% more beer was consumed on the first day of the festival this year than in past years, a situation that may have contributed to the nearly 800 alcohol related injuries and illnesses that have already been treated by Red Cross workers. That's nearly double last year's figure at this time.

With nearly two weeks left of the Oktoberfest event (which runs 16 days in all) let's hope revelers - both Australian and otherwise - can manage to stay safe and enjoy Europe's largest beer festival responsibly.

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Europe, Germany, News