Legionella trial resumes over Austria’s largest outbreak

The trial over Austria’s largest Legionella outbreak continued on Thursday at Feldkirch Regional Court, ORF reported. A manager at Rattpack is accused alongside a technical employee and an employee of an external cleaning company.

Prosecutors allege that a poorly maintained cooling tower on the roof of Rattpack’s premises in Wolfurt allowed the bacteria to spread. The trial is examining who was responsible for the tower not being cleaned properly. The three defendants have blamed one another.

It remains unclear who repeatedly disconnected a disinfection pump from the power supply. The trial had previously been adjourned.

At the start of Thursday’s hearing, Rattpack’s lawyer filed several motions. He argued that the cooling tower had not been filled with Ach water because the permit did not provide for its use. He also said the permit did not require compliance with all standards.

A Rattpack employee testified that he had never discussed Legionella with the cleaning worker. The third defendant had earlier said he raised the issue with the company, but later qualified his statement, saying he could not really remember. He also said he did not know who had repeatedly switched off the disinfection system. The cleaning company had reportedly said it could be turned off over winter.

The Rattpack employee appeared to have difficulty recalling what his employer had been responsible for, repeatedly saying he could not remember “100 per cent” who had arranged what.