Oil disaster at Pyramidenkogel: Volunteer fire department in action!

Oil disaster at Pyramidenkogel: Volunteer fire department in action!

On December 22, 2025, the Keutschach am See volunteer fire department was alerted to an operation in the Pyramidenkogel area. The operation was initiated shortly after 9:30 a.m. with a silent alarm when a small oil slick was reported. It quickly became clear that the actual extent of the contamination was much more extensive than initially assumed. Experts suspect that it was a deliberate spread of oil in the adjacent forest areas, where numerous discarded canisters were discovered. In total, the contaminated area covered around 600 square meters, including a parking lot and parts of the state road in both directions.

As Klick Kärnten reports, it was estimated that around 50 liters of the pollutant had leaked. In order to minimize the environmental and health risks, around 40 bags of oil binding agent (approx. 800 kilograms in total) were used. The fire department members worked diligently to distribute the binding agent and dispose of the contaminated material properly. The entire operation lasted around ten hours and involved not only the Keutschach am See volunteer fire department, but also the Velden and Reifnitz police stations as well as the Bodner Kommunaldienst company and the Keutschach building yard.

Coordinated operational measures to remove pollutants

The extensive cooperation between the various emergency services shows the seriousness of the situation. The police from the Klagenfurt-Land district were also involved in this operation by collecting evidence. It is important to emphasize that fire department members sacrificed their free time on a Monday morning to minimize the damage.

Similar challenges also arise in other regions. An example of this is an incident in Grafenwörth, in which several hundred liters of fuel spilled in a parking area on the L45 on February 26, 2025 due to a technical defect in a truck. The Grafenwörth fire department carried out measures to stop the fuel from escaping and prevent it from spreading further into the ground. In this case, the Feuersbrunn fire brigade's pollutant group was called in to provide support, using a special pump to pick up the leaked diesel.

Environmental pollution as a global problem

The incidents in Keutschach and Grafenwörth are part of a larger problem of environmental pollution caused by human activity. According to [Wikipedia](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental Pollution), waste and emissions are the main causes of environmental pollution, which negatively impact natural ecosystems and human health. An estimated 12.6 million people die every year as a result of environmental pollution. The variety of pollutants includes chemicals, household and industrial waste, heavy metals as well as hydrocarbons and exhaust gases.

At a time when awareness of environmental issues continues to grow, it is important to educate the public about the risks of environmental pollution and take steps to prevent further damage. Sustainable economic practices and environmental protection measures should be at the heart of all efforts to minimize future environmental damage.