Styrene continues to migrate

District authority sounds the alarm over poison in the water

A freight train crashed between Wels and Marchtrenk in September 2023, leaking styrene.(Bild: Markus Wenzel)

The train accident at the Wels marshalling yard in September is no longer just a problem for the city. As reported, 40,000 liters of styrene leaked out. Every day, the poison spreads around 15 meters to the east, towards the border with Wels-Land. The district governor is concerned. 

 "The pollutant plume is currently on the border with Marchtrenk. Although the measures taken are already having an effect, there is still a danger for households with their own domestic wells that are not connected to the local water supply," Elisabeth Schwetz, District Governor of Wels-Land, is also concerned about the development. An e-mail inbox has now been set up for residents' questions: [e-mail].

City takes over communication
In Wels, the waters are now running high. The sharply criticized
The sharply criticized crisis communication is causing thick air between the city council and ÖBB. The town hall says that the city is taking communication into its own hands. There will be daily updates and a letter to all households in the catchment area is being prepared.

This graphic shows how the poison is spreading eastwards.(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

Environmental councillor speaks out
Behind closed doors, ÖBB employees blamed the city's water authority. City Councillor for the Environment Thomas Rammerstorfer (Greens) defends them: "They can only do limited public relations work. There is little point in apportioning blame."