Asfinag conducts major accident drill in Vienna's Kaisermühlentunnel

During the night of Thursday, July 30, 2026, the 2‑kilometre‑long Kaisermühlentunnel in Vienna's Donaustadt district was closed for a large‑scale emergency exercise organized by Asfinag together with police, fire brigades and ambulance services. The drill simulated a mass‑collision scenario with multiple injured victims, including a car overturned on its roof and a driver covered in blood. Dozens of responders practiced coordinated actions, communication via a joint radio network, and the handling of new challenges such as electric vehicles.

The exercise, mandated by Austrian law for tunnels longer than 500 m every four years, aimed to improve response times and inter‑agency coordination. Asfinag exercise leader Nicole Reeh highlighted the rising number of tunnel incidents and technological changes as drivers for regular training. Participants noted the importance of rapid traffic‑management alerts, camera detection, and clear alarm plans to guide emergency crews to the site.

The drill caused temporary traffic diversions on the Donauufer Autobahn (A22) while the tunnel remained closed until the early morning hours, demonstrating the practical impact of large‑scale safety preparations on urban mobility.