Neighbor heard shots

Pyro firecrackers prompted police to respond

The Hallein refugee home on the right. On the left, below, the neighboring house where the bang is said to have been heard.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

A shocked neighbor heard what he thought were gunshots. Following his emergency call, the police arrived at the Hallein refugee home on Thursday evening - and left a short time later without finding any weapons. Head of the Samaritans Christian Dengg explained the situation in an interview with Krone. 

Early on Thursday evening, the police deployed around 20 men to an operation in Hallein. A neighbor of the refugee home there had called the emergency services. Shots were being fired and a man was on the balcony of the asylum home holding a weapon. No weapons were found during the subsequent search. The Salzburg police press office confirmed the operation today, Friday. 

Christian Dengg, managing director of the Samariterbund, which runs the home, says: "A resident set off fireworks, i.e. firecrackers. Of course, that's not acceptable and it's a very unpleasant situation." However, all residents are in the house and no one is missing. The culprit was also quickly found, according to the head of the Samaritans, and has confessed to his crime. According to Dengg, the house will continue to be run as peacefully as before.