Curious incident

Major operation in Vienna: Woman floating in the Danube Canal

An apparently mentally ill Viennese woman triggered a major operation on the Danube Canal on Tuesday shortly before Austria's European Championship match. A helicopter was even deployed. 

Hundreds of soccer fans had just made themselves comfortable at the Summerstage on the Danube Canal shortly before 8pm on Tuesday evening to watch Austria's (ultimately unsuccessful) round of 16 clash with Turkey at the public viewing in the bars there when emergency vehicles suddenly interrupted the festive sporting atmosphere.

"Person under water"
The Danube Canal was plunged into a sea of blue lights as the helpers apparently searched for a person in the water. As the rescue service confirmed to the "Krone", a "person under water" was reported at the Friedensbrücke at 7.45 pm. The fire department also received the alarm - seven vehicles, boats and the ÖAMTC helicopter were quickly dispatched to the body of water.

As it turned out, it was not necessary to raise the alarm. A mentally impaired Viennese woman had already left the water on her own.

If you find yourself in an exceptional psychological situation or have suicidal thoughts, please contact the telephone helpline on 142 - around the clock.