“We knew the victims well”

Fatal accident: Last inspection on Friday the 13th

The “Krone” has new details about the accident.(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK)

After a scaffolding collapse in Vienna claimed the lives of four workers, the entire Alsergrund neighborhood is in shock. The “Krone” now has new, tragic information. The construction company is deeply affected by the “tragic incident.”

Following the fatal accident at a construction site in the ninth district, more and more harrowing details are coming to light. According to “Krone” reports, the building inspectorate (MA 37) had conducted an inspection just a few days earlier, on Friday the 13th of March. The verdict: everything was in order.

However, the accident is said to have occurred on Tuesday during a work break. “The workers were sitting there, smoking—and then the scaffolding collapsed,” said an eyewitness. The 45-year-old worker, who was seriously injured, is believed to have been at the very top at the time. He remains in critical condition.

Three of the deceased workers have been identified. Among them is Pajtim B., who, like two of his colleagues who died in the accident—Asllan M. and Istref Z.—was from Kosovo.

Pajtim B., born in 1997, is one of the four fatalities of the accident.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/zVg)

Macabre: “We know construction site facilities!”
Meanwhile, the construction company responsible appears to be pursuing its own strategy—and went into hiding immediately after the accident. Just minutes after the accident, all references to Porzellangasse were deleted from the company’s website. Only one post was saved from deletion by the “Krone”: “We’re experts in construction site facilities!” read the caption on the company’s Instagram account accompanying a photo of the site in question. In response to an inquiry from the “Krone,” the company expressed “deep sorrow” over the “tragic incident.”

This is how the company had advertised the construction site shortly before the accident.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/instagram.com)

Neighborhood commemorates victims with flowers and candles
During the “Krone”’s on-site visit one day after the tragedy, neighbors, students, and workers described the dramatic moments of the accident. “What happened is just terrible,” says 15-year-old Elias. Together with his classmates from the school across the street, he came to light a candle at the makeshift memorial for the victims set up in front of the old building.

There is also a sense of shock in the surrounding shops. Flowers and candles have been placed in a bakery. “We can’t believe what happened,” say the bakers. “We knew the victims well. They came here every day to get something to eat.” The “Krone” also speaks with a local resident. He witnessed the accident with his own eyes. “First they were sitting on the scaffolding, and then everything came crashing down.”

Whether the crane operator struck the structure with the concrete bucket, or whether faulty formwork or other circumstances caused the accident, will be determined by the investigation. The Labor Inspectorate is involved.

Traurige Bilanz

Jeder zehnte Unfall passiert am Bau

Bei Betonierarbeiten stürzte das Traggerüst auf einer Baustelle in Wien-Alsergrund am Dienstnachmittag zusammen – und riss vier Bauarbeiter in den Tod. Zwar wird der genaue Hergang derzeit bei Erhebungen noch eruiert, Abstürze seien aber der zweithäufigste Grund für Arbeitsunfälle in der Baubranche, heißt es vom Arbeitsinspektorat auf Nachfrage. Jeder zehnte Unfall im Job ereignet sich außerdem am Bau. Damit ist jene Branche trauriger Spitzenreiter.

In Wien gab es 2024 laut AUVA 2478 Arbeitsunfälle, 2023 waren es 2665. Kontrollen fokussieren sich auf Absturzsicherung. Das Arbeitsinspektorat ist prinzipiell für die Kontrollen der Baustellen zuständig. 2769 Firmen wurden in der Stadt im Vorjahr geprüft. Vor allem auf die Absturzsicherung und den ordnungsgemäßen Aufbau von Gerüsten wird dabei geachtet. Kontrolliert wird zudem, ob Kran und Bauaufzüge technisch geprüft wurden. Mängel werden stets an die betreffenden Unternehmen weitergegeben, wird versichert.