Two Fatal Drowning Accidents at Vienna's Old Danube

Two separate incidents on Sunday resulted in the deaths of two men at the Old Danube (Alte Donau) in Vienna's Gänsehäufel area. In the afternoon a 39‑year‑old swimmer got into trouble, disappeared from the surface and was recovered by divers from the Vienna professional fire brigade from a depth of about three metres. Despite extensive emergency medical measures he died at the scene.

A few hours later, a 23‑year‑old man fell from a party boat into the water, pulling another person with him. The companion managed to climb back aboard, but the 23‑year‑old remained submerged and was recovered about an hour later, also by fire‑brigade divers. An emergency doctor confirmed his death. The water police of the Vienna state traffic department have opened investigations into both accidents, and emergency services provided support to the victims' families and friends.