After the death row in Magdeburg, there is no evidence of a similar threat in Austria, but security measures at the Christmas markets will still be “intensified at a high level”. Terror alert level 4 remains in effect throughout Austria since October 7, 2023.
The death journey in Magdeburg leads to tightening of security measures at the Christmas markets in Austria. The city of Linz announced on Saturday that it would protect visitors to the stand on the main square, the Volksgarten and the market in front of the New Cathedral through “technical security measures”.
The police will be on site with a greater presence at the markets, as Acting Deputy Mayor of Linz Dietmar Prammer (SPÖ) and City Councilor for Security Michael Raml (FPÖ) announced. As a spokeswoman for the Upper Austrian police announced, officers are now increasingly patrolling Advent markets across the state.
Greater presence at Christmas markets
In the state of Salzburg, the police generally referred to the “security concept” that exists before all events. A spokeswoman referred to the “heightened terror alert level” that already exists for Austria, so the templates would also be adjusted accordingly.
Terror alert level 4 continues in Austria
From Vienna it was said that Austrian and German authorities are in close contact, but there is no reference or indication of a threat in Austria in connection with the death journey in Germany. Nevertheless, the extensive security measures at Christmas markets that have been in place since the beginning of Advent, especially in Vienna, have been “intensified to a high level,” David Pawlik, spokesman for the Vienna State Police Directorate, said on Saturday. In this context, he also pointed out that terror alert level 4 has been in force continuously in Austria since October 2023. The reason for this was Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7.
The Ministry of the Interior issued a statement similar to that of the Vienna police. A department spokesperson pointed out that Austria’s Christmas markets were “well protected”. This was also evident from an incident yesterday in Vienna, in which an armed person of Finnish nationality was arrested.
Officials are once again being made aware of the situation
The Styrian State Police Directorate said that colleagues working at the Advent markets have again been informed of the situation. However, no further police measures were taken in addition to those already in place. Many of the measures are not even visible to the population – for example foot patrols and officers in plain clothes.
On the other side you can clearly see posts and concrete blocks that were placed around the Christmas markets weeks ago as a safety measure. In addition, there is the so-called ‘robust space protection’: emergency services with heavy weapons that are always ready near crowds. “But there can never be 100 percent safety,” it was emphasized.
The Carinthian State Police said that even after the incidents in Magdeburg they would stick to the proven operational concept of previous years for the Christmas markets and critical points. No additional measures are planned.
Increased police presence in Vorarlberg, Lower Austria and Burgenland
In Vorarlberg there is generally more police presence at the Christmas markets. Due to the attack in Magdeburg, more attention was paid to safety in public places this weekend, a police spokesperson explained.
Safety measures at the Advent markets in Lower Austria have also been tightened. There are now more officers on duty, both in plain clothes and in uniform, reports police spokesman Johann Baumschlager. At the same time, he stressed that there is no concrete evidence of a threat to the Christmas markets, especially in Lower Austria.
The Burgenland state police succinctly said that the presence of uniformed patrols had “of course” increased.
Source: Krone
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