Disaster alarm in Tyrol: Muren and landslide threaten Gschnitz!

Disaster alarm in Tyrol: Muren and landslide threaten Gschnitz!

Gschnitz, Österreich - In the tranquil community of Gschnitz in Tyrol, a severe storm caused chaos on June 30, 2025. Muries and landslides set the place considerably and led to dramatic scenes. Almost 100 hikers who were in the region had to be evacuated because the danger from earth shifts and the crossing of the Gschnitzbach required acute measures. Already in the late Monday afternoon the storm began with heavy rain, which brought a massive slip and flood risk. As Merkur, the fire brigade and emergency services were quickly used.

The location in Gschnitz, which counts around 460 inhabitants, was particularly tense when alarm levels were triggered by AT-Alert and civil protection. The population was asked to stay in their own four walls and to go to higher floors. The inhabitants of the Mühlendorf hamlet were particularly at risk, whose houses were threatened by the falling earth masses. Police helicopters flew out several people from the endangered area, and the fire brigade in the district of Wippe Valley/Sterzing only had to complete around 150 missions within six hours in order to cope with the flood.

evacuations and damage

A total of over 100 people were brought to safety with the IBK country flight service. Two mountain huts had to be evacuated, while the fire brigade in Gschnitz and the surrounding region fought tirelessly against the impending dangers. The infrastructure also suffered significantly; Gschnitztalstrasse was relocated and a bicycle bridge was completely destroyed. There was also severe impairments in Neustift in the Stubai Valley, where the rear valley was cut off from the Gasteig district.

The use of more than 300 firefighters illustrates the extent of the disaster. Affected by water bumps and floods had to be freed from rubble and water. The sight of the flooded church in the Sterzing district, which had to be cleared, was oppressive. However, there was a little ray of hope: so far no injured or buried people have been reported, and houses recorded directly by earth masses were missing.

a regional and global challenge

The incidents in Gschnitz throw a light on a bigger problem that currently affects the world. According to Statista, natural disasters increase in their frequency and intensity due to climate change, which not only endangers human lives, but also causes enormous economic damage. A brief flash of this global challenge is not only shown in the Alps, but also in different parts of the world, which are affected by the most devastating weather phenomena every year.

As we have seen, the regional differences in susceptibility to natural disasters are caused by a number of factors. Tyrol, known for his breathtaking nature, is unfortunately always haunted by extreme weather conditions. This presents not only the residents, but also the emergency services with great challenges.

The situation in Gschnitz remains tense, while the emergency services and the residents pay attention to possible dangers. It is of crucial importance that the community continues and acts quickly to support each other in times of crisis.