Austrian jumps from Mostar's bridge and is violently attacked!

Austrian jumps from Mostar's bridge and is violently attacked!

On June 25, 2025, an incident at the Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia caused a stir. A 28-year-old man from Vorarlberg, Austria, jumped from the 20-meter-high bridge into the Neretva River unannounced and without permission. The jump lasted about three seconds and had an acceleration comparable to that of a Bugatti. However, the reaction of the locals to the jump was extremely negative: the man was beaten immediately after his jump. A video of the incident that went viral on social media has already garnered hundreds of thousands of views.

The Old Bridge, also known as Stari Most, is not only a popular destination for adrenaline seekers, but is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important symbol of the city of Mostar.

Culture and tradition of bridge jumping

Bridge jumping in Mostar has a long history; the first documented jump took place in 1664. Traditionally, locals jump for a fee and under supervision, using different types of jumps, such as the feet-first jump or the “swallow”. When jumping, jumpers reach speeds of up to 85 km/h. However, the water surface of the Neretva is as hard as concrete, and the depth of the river is only about three to four meters, which can result in dangerous injuries.

Professional bridge jumping is widespread in Mostar. Some locals make a living attracting tourists, while competitions such as the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series draw attention to the sport. Since its construction in the 16th century, the Old Bridge has connected the two cultural and ethnic sides of the city, one dominated by Muslims and the other dominated by Catholics.

The history of the Old Bridge

Stari Most was built around 1566 by a student of the famous architect Sinan and is considered a central element of Mostar's identity. Unfortunately, the bridge was completely destroyed on November 9, 1993 during the Bosnian War. The international community was horrified by the destruction of such an important cultural heritage. After the war, there were efforts to rebuild the bridge, which was finally achieved in 2002. The renovation was carried out under the auspices of UNESCO and with the support of international donor countries such as Croatia, France and Turkey.

The bridge was reconstructed with local materials using the same stone from a traditional quarry as the original construction. In July 2005, the area around the Old Bridge was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The bridge jumper's attempt to keep his identity secret failed as the reaction from locals and viral views on social media quickly brought the events into the public eye. Such behavior, jumping uninvited and without preparation, is unlikely to remain without consequences in the future.