Friday will come to an end the class trip of 99 German students to the Kleinwalsertal, which had started so dramatically on Tuesday with a large-scale helicopter rescue. The responsible Rhineland-Palatinate Education Minister has now also noted and announced that “those affected will not be left alone to deal with the possible consequences of this incident”. Still, questions remain. For example, why the fateful hike in Vorarlberg was even started.
On Tuesday, there was actually another program planned for the nearly 100 students. This is evident from the weekly program of the “7th year trip – Kleinwalsertal 2022”, which is available for “Krone Vorarlberg”. After the young people and their eight teachers met at 7:00 AM at the Lise-Meitner-Gymnasium in Maxdorf near Mannheim, the journey to Kleinwalsertal began at 7:30 AM. At about noon, the group reached Hirschegg, 372 kilometers away, where they were accommodated in two quarters of an hour not far from the Schöntal lift. According to the schedule, a trip to the Freibergsee in neighboring Oberstdorf in Bavaria was scheduled for the afternoon.
However, the plan was then jettisoned and instead the group – who according to school documents must have “hiking clothes (water-repellent/waterproof top and bottom clothing) and sturdy ankle-high shoes” in the luggage. – left for that fateful walk towards Walmendinger Horn, which ended so dramatically on the Heuberggrat with a large-scale helicopter operation. It’s unclear what the reasons for the plan change were – possibly the wet weather.
The expensive helicopter storage can in any case have financial consequences. In any case, the Rhineland-Palatinate Education Minister, Stefanie Hubig, indicated to the SWR that there could be support from the state. “It is a difficult situation. That is why we do not leave those affected alone to solve the possible consequences of this incident. Our school supervisor will provide the necessary support if necessary,” said the minister, who thanked all emergency services on site for their “courageous and act with caution.” However, it cannot be deduced from this whether the announced “aid” also entails a possible takeover or at least partial takeover of the salvage costs by the government of the German Land.
The fact is that the “class trip 7 – Kleinwalsertal 2022” is planned to end on Friday. Students must check out of their accommodation before 10am, after which an excursion “around Riezlern” is planned before the departure is scheduled for 2pm. Arrival in Maxdorf: 6 pm It is clear that discussion will be needed after the Lise-Meitner-Gymnasium. For example, a spokeswoman for the Directorate of Supervision and Services (ADD) – which acts as school supervisor in Rhineland-Palatinate – said that she would like to speak with the teachers after her return “to work through the situation”. However, the ADD assumes that the teachers acted to the best of their knowledge.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
