Gas leak in Mödling: tragedy with one fatality and one injured

Gas leak in Mödling: tragedy with one fatality and one injured

Today, August 13, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Mödling, Lower Austria, which was caused by a gas leak in a construction pit. The Mödling Volunteer Fire Department was alerted when initial reports of at least one person in the affected excavation pit were reported. When they arrived, the emergency services found two people unconscious, which required immediate rescue measures using respiratory protection. At the same time, fire protection was set up to minimize possible dangers.

In addition to the Mödling fire department, the Wiener Neudorf volunteer fire department was also requested to provide support. As part of the rescue operation, the rescue service and the fire department medical service initiated resuscitation measures. Unfortunately, one of the two people could not be saved, while the second person was flown to hospital by emergency helicopter in critical condition. The incident also required temporary measures to seal the gas leak.

Cause and measures

A closer look at what happened shows that the gas leak occurred during construction work in an apartment building. Gas was leaking from a natural gas pipe on the first floor. The owner informed the energy supply company about the leak and tried in vain to temporarily close it. When the emergency services arrived, they found high natural gas levels in the stairwell, which led to the fire department being alerted immediately. The emergency services carried out pressure ventilation of the staircase and several affected apartments in order to defuse the dangerous situation.

The house was evacuated as a precaution because there was a risk of explosion. An apartment had to be broken into by the fire department in order to ventilate the badly affected areas. The entire operation lasted over four hours before the final measurements were taken by the energy supplier, allowing residents to return to their homes.

Security measures and emergency management

In emergencies like this, acting quickly is crucial. The most important emergency numbers should always be at hand. The fire department can be reached on the emergency number 112, while the local gas supplier should be contacted immediately in the event of an emergency or if a gas leak is suspected. It is also advisable to have an emergency plan with relevant contacts - such as your family doctor or family members - at hand so that you can act quickly in an emergency.

The fire brigade's operation was ended at around 11 a.m. after all necessary measures had been taken to avert danger. In total, more than 30 members of the Mödling and Wiener Neudorf fire departments and seven vehicles were on duty.

This incident highlights the importance of safety precautions and effective emergency management systems to respond quickly in critical situations. Those interested can find further information about gas accidents and emergency management on sites such as Plumbing Express.