Jul 5, 2026, 10:28Jul 5, 2026, 10:28
A 93-year-old resident of a single-family home in Vienna is suspected of having completely destroyed his house in a deliberately caused gas explosion on Sunday night. Adjacent single-family homes were also severely damaged, and nine people were injured.
The house was destroyed in the explosion.Image: APA/CITY OF VIENNA/FIRE DEPARTMENT
Three people – including the suspect – had to be hospitalized. The motive for the crime is still being determined, police said. The extent of all the damage is not yet fully known.
A 25-year-old pregnant woman was among the injured. She was taken to the hospital. Six residents were cared for on the spot by the Vienna professional rescue team and were able to be released into home care, according to the rescue team.
Adjacent buildings were also damaged.Image: APA/CITY OF VIENNA/FIRE DEPARTMENT
During the course of the operation, the 93-year-old was found by rescue workers in the basement of the completely destroyed house and rescued with injuries. Due to the existing suspicion of intentionally endangering the public, the man was arrested on a public prosecutor’s order and is being monitored in a hospital. The fire investigators from the Vienna State Criminal Police Office have started the investigation. (sda/apa)