Gas explosion in Vienna-Floridsdorf: 93-year-old suspected of blowing up his own house

A total of nine people were injured in the detonation. Three of them, including the suspect himself, had to be admitted to a hospital for inpatient treatment. Among the injured was a 25-year-old pregnant woman. The remaining six injured neighbors were treated on the scene by the emergency paramedics of the Vienna professional rescue service and were able to be discharged to continue receiving care at home.

Injured and medical care

The 93-year-old suffered severe injuries in the explosion and remains in an artificial deep sleep. As the police spokesperson stated, he is „nach wie vor nicht vernehmungsfähig“. As soon as his health condition allows for an interrogation, he is to be questioned regarding the allegations.

Adjacent single-family houses were partially severely damaged by the force of the detonation. According to police, the extent of the destruction to the directly affected building is so great that the fire investigators of the Vienna State Criminal Police Office must secure and examine a field of rubble.

Motive: years-long dispute over residential rights

As a possible motive, the police cited a years-long civil law dispute over residential rights. This dispute is pending in court and, according to the spokesperson, is being incorporated into the criminal investigation. „Ein jahrelanger Konflikt um Wohnrechte könnte das Motiv für die mutmaßlich absichtlich verursachte Gasexplosion in Wien-Floridsdorf liefern“, the APA report states.

As part of the investigation, the police are also questioning the suspect's family environment to clarify the background of the conflict. The police spokesperson confirmed on Monday, „dass der Tat ein jahrelanger Zivilrechtsstreit um Wohnrechte vorausgegangen war“. The officers are examining to what extent this dispute is directly related to the act.

Investigations by the State Criminal Police Office

The fire investigators of the Vienna State Criminal Police Office are conducting extensive investigations into the case. This includes securing and evaluating evidence at the crime scene, questioning witnesses, and incorporating the civil law files. The police have not named any other suspects so far.

Residents of the neighborhood were cared for by the emergency services after the explosion. The Vienna professional rescue service was deployed with several teams. The police did not provide more precise information about the exact time of the detonation; it occurred in the night to Sunday, that is, between Saturday evening and the early morning hours of Sunday.

Condition of the suspect and next steps

The APA reported on 6 July 2026, citing the police, about the incident. The case is causing dismay in Floridsdorf, as such a massive impact in a quiet residential area with single-family houses is unusual. The police asked residents who can provide relevant information to contact the nearest station.

The 93-year-old suspect remains in the hospital for the time being. Whether and when he can be questioned after waking from the artificial coma is, according to police, currently unclear. Until then, the investigation is focusing on the residential rights dispute, questioning the family environment, and the forensic analysis of the destroyed house.