A significant transport disruption impacted fans traveling to the Champions League semi-final second leg between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening. Approximately one thousand supporters were evacuated from a subway train in Munich due to a fire incident.
The emergency occurred at the Dietlindenstrasse station, prompting a response from local firefighters. According to Munich police, the evacuation of the crowded train was necessary, leading to what they described as "serious disruptions to traffic" in the surrounding area. The incident forced the complete suspension of the U6 metro line, a critical route for fans heading to the Allianz Arena for the match scheduled to kick off at 21:00.
Authorities immediately issued warnings to both fans and motorists, advising them to avoid the affected zone and seek alternative routes to the stadium. The disruption created a logistical challenge for thousands of match-goers in the hours before the high-profile European fixture.
Initial reports from German media outlet Bild suggest the cause of the fire alarm was a vaping device. The use of an e-cigarette aboard the train is believed to have triggered the safety system, necessitating the removal of the train from service. The local transport company, MVG, confirmed it was working urgently to restore normal service as quickly as possible.
The situation was compounded by developing weather conditions. A potentially dangerous weather cell was forming over the southern part of Munich, with the German meteorological service issuing a storm warning for parts of Bavaria. This added another layer of concern for the safety and travel plans of fans and residents in the region.
The match itself, a highly anticipated return leg, proceeded as scheduled at the Allianz Arena despite the pre-match chaos. The incident highlights the complex security and logistical operations surrounding major sporting events in urban centers.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.com - Calcio.