Rescue teams rehearse helicopter crash in the Danube

About 80 emergency responders took part in a drill simulating a helicopter crash in the Danube at Aschach an der Donau, in the Eferding district. ORF reported that the exercise tested searches for injured and missing people.

The scenario involved suspected dead and injured people inside the wreckage, with another person missing. Divers searched underwater for the helicopter and possible occupants, while teams also searched the opposite riverbank.

Firefighters, water rescue teams, police, a search dog unit and the Red Cross took part. Responders also set up an oil barrier to simulate a possible fuel spill. Exercise commander Christian Müller, head of the Aschach volunteer fire brigade, said the drill required teams with different specialisations to coordinate at the same time.

Strong currents, water temperatures of 13 degrees Celsius and often poor underwater visibility made the search challenging. The teams used a former Austrian Armed Forces helicopter that had been prepared for exercises of this kind. They brought it back to land after the search.

Responders said the exercise was intended to practise procedures for a real emergency and improve coordination between organisations.