Salzburg drill tests response to burning cable-car station

About 230 emergency responders are taking part in a major disaster drill at the Schlossalm cable-car mountain station in Bad Hofgastein, ORF reports.

The exercise begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday and is expected to last until dusk, allowing responders to practise as darkness falls. The scenario includes a full-scale fire at the station, with dozens of guests trapped inside, as well as a cable-car rescue, missing children in a reservoir and a serious car crash outside the station.

Participating organisations include volunteer fire brigades, mountain and water rescue teams, alpine police, local police stations, the Interior Ministry and the St Johann im Pongau district authority.

A drone is also being used. Pongau disaster management officer Michael Rachensberger said coordinating the drone with a helicopter was one of the challenges.

Rachensberger said the drill gives responders a chance to practise in a complex facility. Exercises on this scale are held every one to two years.