Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖV) reported in a broadcast on New Year’s Day of 350 reports and penal orders for violations of the Pyrotechnics Act. 55 people were reported injured by firecrackers or rockets, including two law enforcement officers.
The main reasons for use around the turn of the year were noise and reports of pyrotechnic ignitions. There were also physical injuries, accidents and fires. Nationwide, there were nine criminal arrests, for example for bodily harm, and a further seven administrative arrests. As of January 1st, 7:00 a.m., 42 reports of property damage caused by pyrotechnics, eleven reports of negligent bodily harm caused by pyrotechnics and 25 further reports containing suspicion of arson using pyrotechnics were filed. In three cases, officials from Vienna and Styria reported physical attacks against law enforcement officers who intervened.
“New Year’s Eve presented the police, rescue and fire departments with major challenges,” emphasized Karner. The minister thanked the institutions.
