Every day there are accidents between Liesing and Floridsdorf – the annual fireworks season terrifies people and animals. But who are those who deal in illegal pyrotechnics in Vienna?
Boom, boom, boom: they are powerful, dull and extremely loud explosions that reverberate through the Mitterhofergasse in Floridsdorf day after day. “I hardly dare to go out anymore,” said one resident in words to the ‘Krone’, which is currently getting on the nerves of many Viennese.
Huge danger
Because it is illegal fireworks that are set off in the streets of Vienna. And they pose enormous danger, as the deaths in recent years around New Year’s Eve have shown.
Fireworks are transported on the train
But where do those firecrackers and rockets in the highest categories F3 and F4 come from, for which you have to prove technical or even specialist knowledge in Austria? According to a researcher from the “Krone”, there are also black sheep among dealers in Austria. Those who secretly pass illegal goods around. The majority of pyrotechnic products already come directly to Vienna via anonymous online retailers – or conveniently by S-Bahn.
Sellers from North Africa and the Arab region
Twenty young men are said to have been arrested by the police riot unit during 21 stops around Floridsdorf train station in the fall. The nationalities are mixed, but they are all believed to be asylum seekers from North Africa, Afghanistan and Syria who have already attracted attention with minor criminal offences, for example in the field of narcotics. In the autumn alone, more than 2,500 incendiaries and firecrackers were seized, some with an explosive force of 300 grams.
Explosion hazard in S-Bahn trains
The mode must always be the same. The young men would come to the Czech Republic by S-Bahn from Praterstern or Floridsdorf, complete with empty backpacks or suitcases. In the Czech Republic they packed up to 20 or even 30 kilos of fireworks in their luggage and returned to Vienna. It would be unthinkable if one of those pieces of luggage exploded on the S-Bahn.
In Vienna, young people in particular are grateful for the illegal sales. And causing fear and terror in the urban canyons of the capital.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
