Three injured as violence ends Ansfelden Krampus run early

Three people were injured during a Krampus procession in Ansfelden on Saturday evening, and organisers ended the event early for safety reasons, ORF reported.

Police said several confrontations and assaults took place along the route. Organisers Hoizknecht Teifin filed a complaint over several incidents. A 17-year-old from Linz-Land district accused a 68-year-old from Steyr-Land district of hitting him on the right knee.

In another incident, an unknown person allegedly grabbed a 16-year-old by the horns and pulled him sharply down. The teenager was injured and taken to Linz Accident Hospital. A 15-year-old from Linz-Land district was also injured after an unknown person allegedly pushed him from behind, causing him to fall and hurt his left knee.

The organisers said the run at Motorikpark Ansfelden was stopped after the eighth group. They said several young people first threw stones at the Krampus figures, followed by physical assaults. Police and emergency services were called as the situation escalated. The organisers said the safety of participants and visitors came first and that violence had no place at a traditional event.

Investigations into the incidents are ongoing.