After a rockfall in Steyr: emergency services have recovered the bodies

On day six after the devastating rock fall below the Christkindlweg in the Unterhimmel district of Steyr, the two fatally injured workers from Carinthia (31 and 64) were finally rescued. “This morning we made the decision together with the emergency services and the torrent and avalanche barriers to try it,” said Steyr Mayor Markus Vogl (SP) in an interview with the Upper Austria News. Ultimate responsibility for the operation lies with him. “Yesterday at noon, all forces were pulled together and the corpses began to be recovered under great safety precautions,” says Vogl. The interaction of geologists, a construction company, the fire brigade and the Red Cross was successful – both bodies were recovered. “The situation was very stressful, especially for the bereaved,” says the mayor. He had already called the relatives and informed them.

The two bodies have yet to be released by the police. As is usual with such accidents, the labor inspectorate and the criminal police have started investigations.

Securing work on the affected slope is now being continued at the site of the accident. “Only when there is no longer any danger from above can we start clearing the houses and the road of rocks and rubble,” says Vogl. For the ten affected residents who are currently unable to go into their houses, it is important to continue to be patient.