Victims' relatives mark Munich attack anniversary

FUERSTENFELDBRUCK, Germany – Relatives of Israelis slain by Palestinian gunmen during the 1972 Olympics in Munich are marking its 40th anniversary with Israeli and German officials at the air base where most of the 12 victims died.

German, Israeli and Bavarian flags were lowered to half-staff at the beginning of Wednesday's ceremony at the Fuerstenfeldbruck air base, outside Munich.

Relatives of the victims lit candles in their memory. They were joined by Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom.

The attack began on Sept. 5, 1972, when terrorists slipped into the unguarded Olympic Village in Munich, seized the Israeli compound and demanded the release of jailed comrades. By the time the violence ended at Fuerstenfeldbruck the following day, 11 Israelis and one German police officer were dead.