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Ski paradise Ischgl, in Austria’s Tyrol region, is known for its intense après-ski parties, and at the beginning of the corona pandemic it was one of the main sources of spreading the virus like wildfire to several countries. , including Norway.
In total, the ski resort was linked to cases of infection in 45 countries, and criticism has been received about the handling by the authorities.
This is where the eruption started – reopens
52 Norwegians
Up to 6,000 people have told the Austrian Association for Consumer Protection (VSV) that they became infected during skiing holidays in Iscghl and took the virus home, including 52 Norwegians.
– We are in contact with the 6000 victims and we will offer them to participate in the massive lawsuit, which is scheduled for next year. Today I cannot say how many Norwegians will participate, says Peter Kolba at VSV to Dagbladet.
– Serious handling errors have infected people in 45 countries around the world and led to particularly massive clusters in Germany and the Nordic countries. For some, it has had dire consequences, VSV writes in a letter to authorities to which Dagbladet has been given access.
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According to Kolba at VSV, they know that 32 ski tourists died from the coronavirus after visiting Austria’s ski resorts. Skier Georg Mathias Johansen (55) died in early April, after a vacation in Iscghl.
VSV emphasizes that many of those infected had severe symptoms and “feared for their lives.”
– have a responsibility
Dagbladet has previously spoken to Norwegian ski tourists who have signed up for the lawsuit. All have pointed out that the situation in the town was “normal.”
– The authorities have a responsibility. They knew about the infection, but I think they took a calculated risk and hoped it would work out. They probably did not take into account that they could be held responsible, Norwegian ski tourist Kai (52), who is involved in the lawsuit, tells Dagbladet.
He says he constantly receives updates on the progress of the lawsuit.
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– Serious negligence
On Tuesday, four compensation cases, which are described as “test cases” before the mass lawsuit, were handed over to the regional court, says Kolba.
The cases alone amount to 287,000 euros, equivalent to around 3 million Norwegian crowns, and include one death per crown and one person who became very ill and has suffered permanent injuries, according to the BBC.
Peter Kolba had previously told Dagbladet that the massive demand is estimated at more than five million euros.
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VSV believes that the authorities reacted too late to the infection, which would later spread throughout Europe, and accuses them, among other things, of “gross negligence”. VSV also believes that the authorities succumbed to pressure from lobbyists in the millist sector to keep ski resorts open, writes the Austrian newspaper Der Standard.
– It will be as useful for the reputation of Austria and Tyrol as a tourist destination in the world, as for the many victims waiting for an admission of error, that there is an apology and compensation, said Peter Kolba at VSV at a press conference on Wednesday.
– I knew about the infection
The authorities have always maintained that they acted correctly in light of the information available at the beginning of the pandemic.
However, lawyer Alexander Klauser, who represents some of the people who were infected at the Tyrolean ski resorts, believes that the Tyrolean authorities knew of the cases of infection in late February, when a hotel in Innsbruck was closed as a result. that an employee was diagnosed with the virus.
– I could have been dead
It also notes that Icelandic authorities already redlisted Austria on March 5, after 14 Icelanders returned home with the infection. The Icelandic authorities must also have given several warnings.
Until March 13, two days later, among other things, the Norwegian authorities advised against traveling to Tyrol, the Austrian region took no action and closed the ski resort. At the time, however, foreign ski tourists were allowed to travel home freely, many in crowded buses and planes.
– If the ski resorts had been closed just a week earlier, it would have been possible to prevent the infection of thousands of people. Both national and foreign tourists and seasonal tourists. But the economy has taken precedence over people’s health, VSV writes.
Some Austrian ski resorts were open until March 19.
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Après ski denied
On Thursday, Austrian authorities say it will be open for people to get back on the ski slopes in the next season. However, there will be a ban on parties, German Bild reports.
The country’s government has introduced a ban to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and the use of bandages on ski lifts will be mandatory.
– The pleasure of skiing, yes, but without après ski, sums up the government.
