Excitement in the south of Burgenland: the Oberwart district council had to issue an entry and parking ban in Unterschützen until further notice because of looting. The police are alert and now control the entrances to the city to protect the population.
Unimaginable scenes are taking place in the south of Burgenland these days. While people affected by the floods have spent days clearing their homes of mud with the help of thousands of volunteers and the military, looters have discovered the flood areas themselves. Unterschützen in particular is affected.
The alarm was raised following reports from the public
After local boss Hans Unger raised the alarm following numerous reports from the population, the district administration became active as a security authority and issued an entry and parking ban. It stipulates that until further notice, only residents, emergency services, fire brigades and armed forces and people with explicit permission from the authorities are allowed to enter the area, explains district captain Peter Bubik.
Personally, he was “stunned” by the fact: “People are digging through residents’ belongings, which were stored in piles of bulky waste in front of homes throughout the area after the storm,” Bubik said. For local boss Unger, it is frightening that the looters do not hesitate to enter the houses, some of which are unlocked during the big clean-up days.
The approach of the looters is comparable to that of ‘garbage tourists’. Most of them are said to come from neighboring countries. The issued ordinance primarily serves the safety of residents and their property. This also gives you the legal option to report the looting, the district captain explains. The entry and parking ban is also monitored by the police, who are patrolling more and more often.
Disaster fund increased to 150,000 euros
Meanwhile, the state has adopted a special directive for disaster management. In addition to on-site damage documentation, this includes an increase in the disaster fund to a maximum of 150,000 euros for private individuals and 75,000 euros for companies and agricultural businesses. A new hardship settlement grants low-income earners deductible waivers. If there is insurance, this will be deducted from the damage amount.
Damaged parties do not have to provide pre-financing; the amount of damage is paid by the state. “This ensures that those affected actually benefit and are effectively financially supported,” said state governor Hans Peter Doskozil and deputy Astrid Eisenkopf.
Source: Krone
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