Thunderstorm knocks down marquee in Gaißau – six injured!

Thunderstorm knocks down marquee in Gaißau – six injured!

On June 15, 2025 at 6:55 p.m. there was a severe thunderstorm in Gaißau, a town in the Bregenz district, which can be classified as an extreme weather event. A strong gust of wind that lasted about 15 seconds lifted and easily toppled a 10 x 20 meter marquee set up for a fire department festival on the soccer field. This unexpected event resulted in significant damage and injuries, such as vol.at reported.

There were around 20 people in the tent at the time of the incident. According to reports, six of them sustained minor injuries. Rescue workers were quickly on site to treat the injured. Four of those affected had to be taken to hospital for further evaluation. District fire brigade inspector Reinhard Karg explained that no one was buried under the tent, although the marquee was a total loss. Manuela Schneider, an eyewitness and cashier at the fire festival, reported that the tent was lifted and thrown away, while she herself was shocked. However, her car was buried under the fallen tent and the damage to the vehicle is still unclear.

Extensive cleanup work

Security measures were initiated in Gaißau after the incident. The fire brigades from Gaißau and Hard as well as several ambulances were on duty to search for people and carry out the clean-up work. The cleanup is scheduled for June 16, 2025. The effects of the storm and the subsequent strong gusts of wind not only led to the destruction of the tent, but also to damage to two cars, two mopeds and several bicycles. Around 40 fire brigade operations were required throughout the state of Vorarlberg to clear fallen trees and full cellars.

This event is not isolated, but part of a worrying trend. According to reports about extreme weather events, the frequency of such extreme weather events has increased worldwide. Studies show that extreme weather such as storms and thunderstorms have increased in recent decades. The causes are diverse and include, among others, climate change, which is aggravated by factors such as rising CO2 concentrations and global warming. Storms are now up to five times as common as in the 1970s.

As a consequence of such extreme weather conditions, communities must prepare for more frequent and more intense storms. The increase in such phenomena is expected to continue in the coming years. Against this backdrop, the need for better safety measures and faster responses to weather events is becoming increasingly clear.