Coronavirus proceedings in Ischgl: “Economy placed above health”

In Austria, the first process in connection with the Corona outbreak among tourists in Ischgl last year begins today. Relatives of the total of 32 fatalities want an admission of guilt – but the government only refers to the pandemic situation.

“I’m not fine”. Dörthe Sittig traveled to Vienna from near Cologne to be present at the first trial in the Ischgl case. Your partner died of Corona last spring after a vacation in Ischgl. A shock that still has an impact today.

I try to focus on my job. Thank goodness I have great children who are grown up and who take care of me, who actually grieve just like that. One tries to deal with, to master life like that again.

Consumer advocates speak of “multi-organ failure”

Dörte Sittig is one of the first victims or survivors to claim damages from Austria. It will be the turn of your case at the end of September; today’s kick-off is about a 72-year-old Austrian who is said to have contracted a fatal Covid infection in Ischgl in March 2020. His widow and son are demanding 100,000 euros in damages from the Republic of Austria. They don’t want to comment before the process.

The plaintiffs are supported by the consumer protection association from Vienna. Peter Kolba is the chairman of the association: “We accuse the republic of multiple organ failure at all levels of administration. It starts with the municipality of Ischgl, continues through the district administration in Landeck, the state of Tyrol, but also at the federal level through the Federal Chancellor and ministers . ”

The authorities at the district, state and federal level warned too late about the corona virus at the beginning of March 2020 and closed the region around Ischgl too late for tourism, although they could have known better – according to the allegation of the plaintiffs. Consumer advocate Kolba puts it this way: “The economy has been placed above health.”

Representatives of Austria reject the plaintiffs’ claims

The allegations also include that Federal Chancellor Kurz announced a quarantine for the Paznaun Valley at a press conference on March 13, 2020, without the state of Tyrol being prepared for it. As a result, tourists left uncontrolled and carried the virus to their home countries.

The financial procurator, which Austria represents in the process, contradicts. The Federal Chancellor’s press conference provided information. The response to the case of the 72-year-old Austrian also states that the plaintiff’s tragic death was exclusively due to a global pandemic and was in no way accepted or contributed to by the organs of the Republic of Austria. Consumer protection activist Peter Kolba says that this attitude makes him mad.

I don’t understand why one cannot admit that one has made mistakes – also in the interests of Tyrolean tourism. In Tyrol or Ischgl you earn millions in one day. The compensation that would be due now is maybe a week’s sales.

“It’s not OK”

A total of 15 civil lawsuits have already been filed, and another 100 are being planned, says Peter Kolba. For hundreds of other cases, coverage by legal expenses insurance is being checked. The consumer advocate would prefer an out-of-court settlement. But an open letter to Federal Chancellor Kurz with the proposal for a round table has not yet been answered.

In total, more than 6,000 people affected from 45 countries have contacted the consumer advocates in connection with Ischgl. 32 people died. Including Dörthe Sittig’s partner. Like many of the victims, the main aim of the lawsuit is to get someone to take responsibility for it.

We really loved Ischgl and we went there a lot. It’s not OK. And then the one who is responsible has to acknowledge at least one guilt. I mean we all make mistakes. But you have to stand by it, right? And that was a really serious mistake.