Inspectors find safety defects at half of Vienna venues

Authorities found safety problems at half of the 16 event venues and nightclubs inspected in Vienna on Halloween night, ORF reported. The defects included flammable decorations.

The inspections were carried out by the city’s rapid response group, the Public Employment Service (AMS), MA 36, the event authority, and MA 59, the market office. Officials also found blocked or locked emergency exits, missing fire extinguishers and faulty emergency-exit lights.

One venue with about 200 guests had to be evacuated because its escape-route lighting was misleading and building materials and machinery blocked emergency exits. Authorities said the operator complied with the evacuation order issued because of the immediate danger.

Four venues were reported for music played at volumes well above permitted limits, which officials said in some cases posed an immediate risk to health.

Municipal authorities filed 15 further complaints, including alleged breaches of trade regulations, Vienna’s Youth Protection Act and the Weights and Measures Act. The AMS filed eight complaints over undeclared work.