Major operation in Winzendorf: Explosions on the premises of a pyrotechnics manufacturer

Company Astotec identified as the affected business

According to APA, the affected company is Astotec Pyrotechnic Solutions. The company is headquartered in the municipality of Winzendorf-Muthmannsdorf in the district of Wiener Neustadt. Pyrotechnics companies manufacture, among other things, pyrotechnic components for safety-critical applications, for example for the automotive industry, where airbag gas generators are a well-known product.

Due to the ongoing explosions and the associated danger from further detonating stocks, the emergency services have established a large-scale cordon around the company premises. Units from several fire brigades from the Wiener Neustadt region, including supra-local units, are on standby or already on site, according to the Lower Austrian Red Cross. Specialist vehicles for hazardous materials operations have also been requested, according to APA.

Red Cross speaks of a serious situation

Johann Baumschlager, the spokesperson of the Lower Austrian Red Cross, has described the situation to APA as "äußerst ernst". The Red Cross has put a larger number of rescue personnel on standby so that they can intervene immediately in the event of a possible escalation of the incident. Emergency physicians and paramedics are on standby, and a helicopter has also been alerted for the rapid transport of patients to a trauma center.

Residents in the closer vicinity of the company site have been urged to keep windows and doors closed and not to remain outdoors. Due to the possible development of smoke and pollutants, a precautionary warning has been issued to prevent the inhalation of the released substances. The responsible district authority of Wiener Neustadt has also activated the emergency plan for industrial accidents.

According to the Lower Austrian Police, access to the immediate danger zone is prohibited for uninvolved persons and media representatives. The police have set up a wide-area cordon and are appealing to the public to follow the instructions of the emergency services and to give the area around the operation site a wide berth. Supra-local traffic disruptions on the B26 and surrounding country roads are also possible.

Emergency services cordon off area on a wide scale

There is still no officially confirmed information in the afternoon regarding possible injuries, the exact extent of damage to buildings and production facilities, or the cause of the explosions. The investigation into the cause of the fire will be taken up after the end of the operation by the arson expertise unit of the Lower Austrian State Criminal Police Office together with experts from the company.

According to the assessment of the emergency services, the situation may continue for several hours, as the stocks of pyrotechnic charges customary in pyrotechnics warehouses must be allowed to cool down and burn off in a controlled manner. Only then can specialists enter the destroyed halls. The fire brigade currently assumes that residents of the surrounding localities will have to expect disruptions well into the evening.

Investigation of causes and duration of the operation

The Deputy Governor and the State Fire Brigade Commander are continually informing themselves about the situation. The Lower Austrian State Warning Center is also involved and is in close contact with the District Fire Brigade Command of Wiener Neustadt. Official warnings are sent to the population of the region via the "NÖ Warnung" app.

A citizens' telephone hotline has been set up for the municipality of Winzendorf-Muthmannsdorf and neighboring localities, at which concerned relatives and residents can inquire about the current status. The operation leadership asks that emergency calls be made only for actual emergencies, so as not to overburden the control centers.