Desperation among the residents of Guntschach, who have been hit hard by the storms: the army will leave on Thursday, and with it the transport ferry. In other words, the place can only be reached on foot. In any case, mayor Franz Ragger is now fighting for the expansion of the use of pioneer boats.
“Given the challenges that have existed since December 15, 2022 and the ongoing difficulties that the people of Guntschach are suffering from, I would like to urge that the aid commitment to transport people by pioneer boat be extended until the end of December 2022. This would allow us to continue to provide much-needed support to the population and to alleviate the situation,” Mayor Franz Ragger wrote in his letter to Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP).
The access road to Guntschach has been impassable since the rockfall a few months ago, and the emergency route that had been constructed was completely destroyed by the recent storms in August. The ferry and the army pioneer boat are the only way to transport vehicles and essential goods on the Drau.
Place accessible only on foot
But the army’s relief mission officially ends on Thursday – and the soldiers leave in their water transport vehicles. “Our citizens will again be cut off from the outside world from now until probably the end of December,” explained Ragger. Guntschach would then only be accessible on foot and urgent medical care could hardly be guaranteed.
And the local ferry service of a private association cannot be on permanent standby. Even though a total of 31 residents of Guntschach accepted the offer to move to Maria Rain – mainly families with school-aged children. 15, mostly older, residents would certainly like to stay – to look at the village.
Reply letter from Vienna
The letter of reply should arrive from the Ministry in Vienna within a few days. However, without good news, as the “Krone” could find out in advance. The assistance mission could therefore not be continued for legal reasons. Because in principle it was ‘only’ intended to transport heavy pioneer equipment from one side of the Drava to the other. Vehicle and passenger transport took place “on the side”. In order to provide further support, an application from the state of Carinthia would be required. And there doesn’t seem to be any ambition on that side.
Source: Krone
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