Thieves smash display case at Munich air disaster memorial, steal valuables in tribute to eight Man Utd players

Valuable memorabilia has been stolen from a memorial honoring the 23 victims of the 1958 Munich air disaster / Image: X, BBC For almost seven decades, Manchester and Munich have shared a connection forged by one of football’s darkest tragedies, with a memorial at the site of the 1958 air disaster serving as a place of remembrance for families and supporters. The memorial has now been targeted by thieves who smashed a glass case and removed valuables commemorating the 23 people who lost their lives.

Thieves broke into a showcase of a monument in Munich

A glass sculpture and several medals were stolen from a memorial to the victims of the Munich air disaster, including eight Manchester United players, after criminals broke into a display case on Manchesterplatz in Munich.According to Munich police, the glass was smashed with a rock, with the theft believed to have taken place between 8am and 1pm local time on Monday 26 October. The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF), which helps to preserve the site and its history, confirmed that the display had been damaged and some of its memorabilia remained missing.

Thieves reportedly used a rock to smash a glass display case at the Munich memorial/ Image: Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation via BBC

Among the stolen items was a glass sculpture that was originally a gift to former Munich mayor Dieter Reiter. Mark Salzmann, chairman of Red Docs Munich, the Bayern Munich supporters’ group involved in the care of the memorial, said the exact number of missing medals was still unclear.According to the BBC, Salzmann’s mother discovered the damage while driving past the memorial, after which members of the group began to assess what had been taken. Red Docs Munich regularly collects the tributes left by visitors from around the world and places selected items in a display case, so the theft is particularly disturbing for those who helped maintain the memorial.

The foundation’s president says the theft has hurt families

Ifty Ahmed, chairman of the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation, said the incident had caused considerable emotional distress to the families who lost relatives in the disaster, and explained that the memorial had become a place where they could find solace.Speaking to BBC News, Ahmed said: “They don’t understand the damage they have caused.”He also clarified that the stolen items could not erase the memories associated with the memorial, adding: “And whatever they took from the display case, they did not take our memories.”In a declaration released on Thursday October 29, Ahmed said:“The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation is deeply saddened by this act of vandalism and theft.“Manchesterplatz is a place of enormous significance to the families of the 23 people who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster and to Manchester United fans around the world.“We are especially grateful to our friends in Munich, especially Red Docs, for their continued care and dedication to this very special place and for acting so quickly to repair the damage.“Those responsible may have damaged the display case and stolen valuable items, but they cannot steal our memories, weaken our friendships or destroy the legacy of those we remember. Their memory will live on and the bond between Manchester and Munich will remain unbreakable.”

Support is offered by Manchester United and its rivals

The foundation confirmed that the broken glass was replaced on the same day as the incident, although several items of memorabilia have yet to be found. Manchester United offered to cover the cost of the repair, but Ahmed said the foundation had already agreed to cover the cost themselves.The response has also extended beyond Manchester United’s own supporters, with Ahmed revealing that Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds United fans have all sent messages of support following the theft.Salzmann said the objects inside the display are unique and cannot be easily replaced, although Red Docs Munich and the foundation have discussed possible replacements.The foundation called on those responsible to return the stolen items, which have significant sentimental value to families and supporters who visit the site.

What happened in the 1958 Munich air disaster?

The memorial commemorates the Munich air disaster of 6 February 1958, when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on take-off at Munich-Riem Airport after refueling on its way back from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia.The accident claimed 23 lives, including eight Manchester United players and three members of the club. Among the footballers killed were club captain Roger Byrne, England internationals Tommy Taylor and Duncan Edwards, along with Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg and Billy Whelan.Tragedy crushed the Manchester United team led by Matt Busby, whose young team became known as The Busby Babes. Several players survived the crash, including Bobby Charlton, who later became one of the most famous figures in English football.Manchesterplatz remained an important place to commemorate the victims and their families. A memorial stone was installed there in 2004, while a glass case was added in 2020 and officially opened in 2023.The annual commemoration continues to attract supporters and visitors from around the world, with approximately 1,500 people attending the February ceremony this year, according to the foundation.Salzmann said the support received following the theft reflected the enduring relationship between the two cities, adding that the connection between Manchester and Munich “will never go away”.