Several injured

Hammer attack: Victims stable, pre-trial detention requested

View of Meiselstraße, where the attack took place on Tuesday night(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

Following the hammer attack by a 29-year-old with three serious injuries, the Vienna Regional Court ordered the 29-year-old accused to be remanded in custody on Thursday. According to court spokeswoman Christina Salzborn, the reason given was the danger of committing the crime. The Serbian will therefore remain in custody until August 1st. One of the victims, whose life had been in danger for a time, could be transferred to a normal ward.

The condition of the man (51) is now stable, reports the Vienna Health Association. He is therefore out of danger, said a spokeswoman. The 51-year-old had suffered such massive injuries from the attack two days ago that the professional rescue team had to intubate and ventilate him on site.

The two other victims - a 43-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man - are also still in a stable condition, it was reported on Thursday. 

Application for legal aid
According to court spokeswoman Salzborn, the 29-year-old stated during questioning by the court on Thursday morning that he had been "attacked". The man had also applied for legal aid, it was said.

Attacked the group with a hammer
The accused 29-year-old Serbian man had attacked the group with a hammer in Meiselstraße in the Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus district at around midnight on Tuesday, robbed them of two bags and then fled. Witnesses alerted the police. The officers arrested the suspect at the scene and seized the bags and the hammer.

The brutal attack took place shortly after midnight.(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

When questioned by the police, the 29-year-old has so far refused to make any statement. The Vienna State Criminal Police Office, Western Branch, is now investigating the case.