At the beginning of June 99 students and eight traveling companions got into mountain trouble in the Kleinwalsertal in Vorarlberg – the result: a rescue operation to rescue the partly ill-equipped group from Germany. It is now clear who will bear the costs of the operation. An investigation into negligent endangerment of the community is also underway.
The rescue helicopters had to fly 33 times to bring the school group of a secondary school in Maxdorf in Rhineland-Palatinate to safety on June 7. About two dozen members were able to descend on their own, accompanied by the mountain rescue service. The group was on an unsigned tour on the narrow Heuberggrat, which police say “requires peak, sturdiness and experience in alpine terrain”.
The choice of route was made on the basis of good reviews on a mountaineering site on the Internet – but not tailored to the abilities of the students, children between twelve and 14 years.
The cost of the contract is EUR 13,291.57 and the bill has now also reached the school, the German news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the responsible Ministry of Education. It has also been established that the Land Rhineland-Palatinate will pay for the operation. “The Ministry of Education will check the bill and – unless the bill raises fundamental doubts – of course pay it,” said a spokesman.
Investigations into negligent public danger
All questions related to the assumption of costs would be investigated, including possible refunds, for example to teachers. However, this is only conceivable if intent or gross negligence on the part of those responsible can be proven, for which the legal requirements are very strict. In any case, there are no costs for the students. The prosecutor’s office in Feldkirch is investigating the endangerment of the community through negligence, and spokesman Heinz Rusch gave no further information.
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.
