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The popular ski resort of Ischgl in Austria became one of the worst centers for the coronavirus in March.
According to Austrian health authorities, at least 6,000 people spread the virus across the country and at least 45 other countries.
Authorities tried to hide the virus outbreak so that the ski resort would not lose its reputation, according to the AFP news agency, which has read several documents. AFP has had access to thousands of messages between different authorities.
The documents show that economic interests prevailed over human health and that the Tyrolean prosecution is now investigating what happened.
Especially a bar in the spotlight
On March 7, a bartender at the Kitzloch bar tested positive for coronavirus, the first confirmed case in Ischgl.
That bar is seen as the epicenter of the spread of the infection among the roughly 10,000 tourists in the town. A person from the Tyrolean health authorities said the next morning that many cases of infection can probably be expected in that particular bar.
However, health authorities left the bar open and announced the next day that “from a medical point of view, it was quite unlikely that the virus had been transmitted” to people visiting the bar.
When all the bar employees tested positive for the virus, it was shut down.
The ignorant tourists, however, continued to visit the other crowded bars and ride ski lifts together in Ischgl. Ischgl is especially known for its lively “après ski” events in bars.
It was not until March 13 that all of Ischgl was quarantined.
Iceland had issued active warnings when Icelanders returned home with the infection, while Tyrol health authorities said tourists were infected on the plane home.
According to the AFP news agency, four people in positions of leadership authority are being investigated for knowingly or negligently endangering human health.
