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MEMORIES OF A MASSACRE

Munich attack serves as sharp reminder of city’s Olympics kidnap tragedy that left 12 innocents dead

composite munich shootings then and now

THE Munich shopping centre shootings have brought back memories of the tragedy that took place streets away at the city's Olympic Village in 1972 -- when 11 Israeli athletes and a policeman were killed by a Palestinian terror cell.

Friday evening's barbaric shootings in the Bavarian city -- the second significant attack to strike the region in days after Monday's axe attack -- has brought chaos similar to that witnessed over four decades ago.

Hostage-taker ... Black September member stands on the balcony of the Israeli Olympic team quarters in September 1972, streets away from where Friday's atrocity took place
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Hostage-taker ... Black September member stands on the balcony of the Israeli Olympic team quarters in September 1972, streets away from where Friday's atrocity took placeCredit: Getty Images
An armed German policeman, dressed as an athlete, stands around the corner from where the hostages were kept
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An armed German policeman, dressed as an athlete, stands around the corner from where the hostages were keptCredit: Getty Images

On 5 September 1972, during the city's hosting of the games, a group calling themselves Black September swooped on the residences of the Israeli Olympics team, taking them hostage.

The terrorists demanded the release of over 200 jailed Palestinians from Israeli prisons.

They meanwhile beat and tortured their hostages -- even castrating one as his teammates were forced to watch.

Standoff ... West German security official keeps an eye on the quarters of the Israili Olympic team
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Standoff ... West German security official keeps an eye on the quarters of the Israili Olympic teamCredit: Getty Images

The terrifying standoff played out live to a global audience for days in what is considered to be the first round-the-clock coverage of a terrorist attack.

A failed rescue attempt led to the gunning down of the athletes and a final death toll of 11 Israelis, one West German police officer and five of the eight hostage takers.

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Global audience ... The rolling coverage of the 1972 tragedy is similar to reporting of modern atrocities
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Global audience ... The rolling coverage of the 1972 tragedy is similar to reporting of modern atrocitiesCredit: Getty Images

Much more recently, the German region was left reeling when a teenage ISIS fanatic went on an axe rampage through a commuter train near Wuerzburg.

Monday's attack by 17-year-old Muhammad Riyadh left five injured with two in a critical condition.

Terrorist ... ISIS released a video after Monday's attack claiming responsibility for the axe attack by teen Muhammad Riyad
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Terrorist ... ISIS released a video after Monday's attack claiming responsibility for the axe attack by teen Muhammad RiyadCredit: Amaq News
Axe attack ... There were gory scenes inside train where five were injured
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Axe attack ... There were gory scenes inside train where five were injuredCredit: DPA

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