The place Ischgl in Austria achieved notoriety at the beginning of 2020. Today the first process in connection with the corona mass infections begins.
Ischgl – shoulder to shoulder on the dance floor, crowds at the entrance and alcohol in huge quantities: what is part of après-ski for many led to an infection disaster at the beginning of 2020. At that time, the corona virus was carried to large parts of Europe from the ski resort in the west of Austria.
Today, Friday (September 17th, 2021) the first civil trial began before the Vienna Regional Court. The court should determine whether the Austrian state is (partly) responsible for the infection disaster, as reported by the dpa.
Infection drama in Austria 2020: husband lost to corona – family complains
A total of 15 lawsuits are pending before the court in connection with the mass infection in Ischgl 2020 *. At the first trial, the son and widow of a 72-year-old man who died of Covid-19 disease after a skiing holiday in the Tyrolean town complained, as AFP reports.
The former journalist from Austria was probably infected with the corona virus during the chaotic departure from the ski resort. The family is demanding compensation of 100,000 euros from Austria. In the coming lawsuits, the authorities are accused of failure in the corona pandemic. The authorities themselves reject all allegations.
Superspreading in Tyrol: That happened in March 2020 – Corona spread from Austria into the world
When the number of corona infections increased in Austria in March 2020, the government reacted by closing various locations. From the plaintiffs’ point of view, the measures contributed to further infections with the corona virus. From the plaintiffs’ point of view, the chaotic evacuation of the place also contributed to the further spread of the corona virus to other countries.
After Ischgl was ordered to close in March 2020, this led to a hasty departure from the ski area. At that time, over 6,000 people were infected with the corona virus in ski resorts in Austria. The people came from 45 different countries, according to AFP.
Corona pandemic 2020: did the government in Austria react too late?
The consumer protection association (VSV) in Austria, which supports the lawsuits, accuses the authorities of massive failure in March 2020. The allegations essentially relate to the government in Austria acting too late. According to the VSV, there could ultimately be up to 3,000 lawsuits against the Austrian state.
The warning was given too late. For example, après-ski bars were closed too late. And the whole ski area was closed a week too late.
On the first day of the first trial, it should first be clarified whether and on which points the plaintiff and the Austrian state agree. Further negotiations are planned for the end of September and the beginning of October. These are also supported by the Austrian Consumer Protection Association (VSV). The association is also considering the possibility of settlement negotiations. A quick decision is not foreseeable in the process. (Lucas Maier) * fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
List of rubric lists: © Hans Punz / DPA
