German police said they had “indications that a terror attack” was being planned in Munich by Islamists for New Year's Eve.
“Current indications show that a terror attack is being planned in Munich. Please avoid gatherings of people and the Munich and Pasing train stations,” police said in a tweet.
There is the danger of an attack in the area of munich, please keep away from crowds, avoid the central station and the rail station pasing.
— Polizei München (@PolizeiMuenchen) December 31, 2015
Both stations have been evacuated, they said, and train services were no longer running at the two sites.
The attackers have an “Islamist background”, police added.
However, by 1am on New Year's Day, people were celebrating as normal in the Bavarian capital, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. It reported that firecrackers were being set off in the Theresienwiese area and that many people knew nothing of the alert, other than what they had gleaned from their smartphones.
A police spokeswoman also told AFP that they had “reliable information” that the group was planning to act as festivities were well under way on New Year's Eve.
Although the train stations have been evacuated, the spokeswoman said it could not be ruled out that the attackers could seek another target.
Police said on Facebook they were taking the threat “very seriously” and that a large deployment of officers were working to track down the suspects.
However, both stations have since reopened, police tweeted.
“I am happy that nothing has so far happened and I hope it stays that way,” said interior minister Joachim Herrmann.
European capitals are on high security alert, with Brussels and Paris both scrapping fireworks for New Year's celebrations.
SEE ALSO: PARIS SET FOR QUIET NIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
Belgian police were also holding five people over an alleged New Year plot in Brussels.
In Berlin, police presence has been stepped up at the Brandenburg Gate, where hundreds of thousands of people have gathered for festivities. All large bags and backpacks have been banned from the site of the huge street party.
Days after the November 13 attacks in Paris claimed by the Islamic State group that left 130 dead, German police called off an international football match at the last minute due to a bomb threat.
No explosives were subsequently found, and no arrests made after the Germany-Netherlands friendly in Hanover – which was to be attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel – was cancelled and thousands of fans evacuated.
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