Tragic misfortune in Villach: 14-year-old drowns in the Gail

Tragic misfortune in Villach: 14-year-old drowns in the Gail

Villach, Austria-on Sunday, August 10, 2025, there was a tragic incident when a 14-year-old boy from the Russian Federation fell into the Gail and drowned. The news of his disappearance led to a large -scale search that mobilized numerous emergency services. At 6:50 p.m., the police received the first message about the incident that occurred near a barbecue area.

The search included Water Rescue teams, fire brigade, police and a police helicopter. Private individuals also actively participated in the search that stretched along the Gail bank. The boy was finally discovered in the water at 7:38 p.m. more than a kilometer downstream, near the Maria Gailer Bridge. The resuscitation started immediately before he was brought to the Klagenfurt Clinic with the C 11 rescue helicopter. Despite these efforts, the boy died in the hospital during the night, as the "Kronen Zeitung" reports. However, the police could not confirm the death on request, since nobody was available in the clinic at that time.

unclear circumstances

The circumstances that led to the tragic incident have so far been unclear and the investigation of the state police directorate is underway. It remains to be seen what the investigations will reveal.

The increasing numbers of drowning accidents in waters give rise to concern. According to a report by the German Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft (DLRG), 411 fatal accidents in water occurred in Germany in 2023, which means an increase of 31 deaths compared to the previous year. This is already the third increase in the drowned number in a row and brings the number of victims over 400 again for the first time since 2019.

public sensitization

Ute Vogt, President of the DLRG, expressed hope of raising awareness of the population with regard to the upcoming warm season. The DLRG plans to educate parents about the dangers of waters and thus reduce the risk of drowning accidents.

This tragedy in Villach once again illustrates the dangers that waters can represent for children and adolescents, and underlines the need to be vigilant and take preventive measures

5min reports that the investigation continues and the public should be pointed out to the seriousness of the situation. The circumstances that led to this tragedy should be uncovered to prevent future accidents. Further developments remain to be seen.