Steinhaus am Semmering

Asylum seekers return to refugee home

After the asylum center in Steinhaus am Semmering had to be evacuated on February 20, the first refugees are now returning to the accommodation. The worst defects have been rectified.

A good two weeks ago, the Federal Care Agency, operator of the controversial "Haus Semmering", pulled the emergency brake: the 150 or so residents of the accommodation were evacuated due to fire safety deficiencies and an eviction notice from the municipality. According to Mayor Maria Fischer, doors, floors and furniture have been replaced and escape routes cleared. As a result, 100 refugees were able to return on Wednesday and it will be possible to accommodate 200 people in the future.

This has led to criticism from the Freedom Party, who had recently used leaflets to campaign against the asylum home. Member of Parliament Hannes Amesbauer: "The fact is that numerous responses to inquiries from the black Ministry of the Interior provide evidence of countless police operations and horrendous costs." The house should therefore be closed.