Munich, 16 September 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The famous German Oktoberfest beer festival started with a bang in Munich on Saturday - that is to say, with the tap of the first keg of beer and firecrackers.

At noon (1000 GMT), Munich's mayor Dieter Reiter officially opened the festival by breaking open the first barrel with two blows and the traditional call: "Ozapft is." He then handed the first tankard to the premier of the southern state of Bavaria, Markus Söder.

Visitors had been queuing up for hours to enjoy the sunny first day - in stark contrast to last year's rain.

At least 6 million visitors are expected this year, at Germany's internationally-renowned beer festival held each autumn. With pandemic worries long gone and good weather predicted, hopes are high.

This year's festival is set to last two days longer than usual - it has been extended beyond the first weekend in October until Tuesday, October 3, to account for the timing of the national holiday commemorating German reunification.

High inflation looms against the background of the festival however, with a litre of beer costing between €12.60 ($13.45) and €14.90 this year, about 6.1% more than the previous year.

For the first time, free drinking water will be available at four water dispensers on the festival grounds this year.

Like every other year, the festival in the capital's Theresienwiese park attracts visitors with historic carousels and traditional brass band music.

Around 600 police officers are expected to be on duty as well as around 450 paramedics, 55 doctors and 2,000 stewards.

Photo: MIA archive