Ansbach bombing: German music festival bomber had pledged allegiance to Isis

Probe: a forensics officer takes a picture of the suspect's flat
Reuters
Mark Chandler25 July 2016

A failed asylum seeker who blew himself up outside a German music festival had pledged allegiance to Isis and vowed "revenge", authorities said today.

Bavarian security chief Joachim Herrmann said a video had been found on the 27-year-old's phone in which he vowed to take vengeance against Germany.

The Syrian detonated an explosive device in his backpack near a restaurant last night after being turned away from an open-air music event in Ansbach.

Twelve people were injured in the blast and the bomber, who local media reported was facing deportation to Bulgaria, died.

Mr Hermann said footage found on his phone showed him swearing loyalty to Isis.

Bomb-making materials and a number of violent videos were also discovered at the shelter where he had been staying.

Mr Hermann said: "The obvious intention to kill more people indicates an Islamist connection."

Investigation: Police secure the area after the explosion

The man had repeatedly received psychiatric treatment, including for attempted suicide, and was known to authorities, he said.

It is thought the attacker was carrying the bomb in a rucksack which contained sharp bits of metal to increase the likelihood of causing injuries.

Roman Fertinger, the deputy police chief in nearby Nuremberg, said it was likely there would have been more casualties if he had not been barred from the festival.

Around 2,500 people were evacuated from the nearby event where the attacker, who had been in Germany for more than a year, had earlier tried to gain entry.

Bavaria police said security at the event, held at the Reitbahn near the city's castle, noticed a young man acting suspiciously in the area at around 9.45pm.

The force said in a statement: "The person was a young man, who carried a backpack and walked up and down the area next to the entrance at the Pfarrstrasse for a long period of time.

"Afterwards he made his way to the outdoor seating area of a restaurant. At around 10.10pm an explosion happened there, after the young man briefly bent forwards."

Bystanders thought there had been a gas explosion at a nearby restaurant in the aftermath of the blast.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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