Visitor in hospital

Messepark Dornbirn was evacuated

Emergency services in the Dornbirn exhibition park(Bild: Shourot Maurice)

The Messepark shopping center in Dornbirn (Vorarlberg) had to be evacuated at midday on Friday. Several people complained of health problems and four had to be taken to hospital.  

At around 12.30 p.m. on Friday, the employees of a clothing store in Messepark noticed the onset of health complaints such as headaches, sore throats and nausea. The store was immediately evacuated and closed by the management of the clothing store.

When the emergency services arrived on site, the symptoms of irritation were still noticeable. The evacuation of the entire building complex was then initiated. According to the police, the evacuation was calm and orderly. Around 3000 people were taken outside. The rescue services set up a care center with emergency doctors at the scene. A meeting point for customers and employees was set up by the emergency crews at the nearby Panoramahaus. 

Cause unclear for the time being
A total of 25 people were treated, four of whom had to be taken to hospital. The cause of the complaints is still unclear. It was thought possible that a gas or vapors had escaped, but investigations by technical and chemical experts did not reveal any evidence of a gas leak or similar. The Messepark was therefore reopened at around 3 pm. 

The fire department, ambulance service with emergency doctors, police, state chemists and technical experts were deployed. Employees of the exhibition park also helped with the evacuation.