Business of the Smugglers – “Thrown Out of the Car Like Dolls”

Because the driver of a white car registered in Hungary had previously coolly broken through a police barrier. He hit the accelerator and accelerated and away at breakneck speed. After he lost control of the vehicle at the exit, it flew meters through the air and hit the ground several times.

The fatal thing about it…
The fatal: The two rear doors opened. Several people were thrown from the hold and landed on the red-hot floor. The two back doors opened.

Several people were thrown from the hold and landed hard on the burning hot floor. For a woman and two men, all help came too late. Seven seriously injured were flown to the surrounding hospitals with four ÖAMTC and one BMI helicopter. The 21 detainees were 15 young men from Afghanistan and India, five children and a woman.

autopsy on tuesday
For a woman and two men, all help came too late – the autopsy will take place on Tuesday. Seven injured people were flown to surrounding hospitals with four ÖAMTC helicopters and one BMI helicopter. None of them are life-threatening and none of the seriously injured are children. The 21 on board were the smuggler, 15 young men, four children and a woman – all of whom are believed to be Syrians. Some of the refugees barely reacted after the accident. Others had tried to dive into the whirlpool.

Russian driver with French papers
After the suspected smuggler and dead driver – he was presumed innocent – was caught and taken to the Nickelsdorf inspection station, criminals discovered that the Russian had identified himself with a French residence permit. He was questioned to learn more about the people behind the smuggling mafia. “This horrific accident shows once again the ruthlessness of the human trafficking mafia. We will continue to act against them with all consistency,” said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). So against those people for whom only money matters – but not people’s lives.

Little is known about their victims: exactly where they came from, where they went. We only know one thing: they died on their way to a – from their point of view – better world. Saturday on the A6.

„Horror photos during our mission“
Thomas Beck, Deputy District Commander, had led the rescue as chief of operations. For the “Krone” he described his impressions right after the crash.

Thomas Beck: When we arrived right after the terrible accident, we were presented with a truly horrific picture. It looked like a battlefield: some dead, others wounded and crying lay in the middle of the rubble.

„krone“: How many helpers came to the scene of the accident?
We police officers secured the scene of the accident with 15 people. Several emergency services from the surrounding fire brigade helped clear up the debris. And the Florianis were instrumental in rescuing the wounded from the ditch.

Was there air support?
Yes, the Ministry of the Interior had sent a helicopter dragonfly and a drone. So we had a precise overview from the air. And the ÖAMTC was in constant use with a total of four “Christophorus” helicopters. This was also badly needed, as a number of seriously injured people had to be airlifted to different hospitals.

What can be said about the tugboat?
We took him to the inspection station in Nickelsdorf and handed him over to the immigration police. The colleagues immediately started a criminal investigation.