Vienna was rocked by two alarming incidents involving vehicles on the evening of March 3, 2025, leading to extensive police operations and public anxiety. A disturbing series of events unfolded when a stolen delivery van crashed violently against the iconic Pestsäule on Graben, triggering panic among onlookers.
The first incident occurred around 17:40, when the van, belonging to a construction company, was stolen from the 14th district. Approximately half an hour later, the 35-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle as he traveled through the pedestrian zone, crashing straight onto the Pestsäule. Witnesses described chaotic scenes; many rushed to safety, seeking refuge inside nearby shops.
After the collision, the driver, who has been identified as an Austrian citizen with a history of psychological issues, attempted to flee the scene. Eyewitnesses reported him shouting "Allahu Akbar" during this chaotic flight, adding to the distress of the frightened crowd. Fortunately, police officers nearby were able to apprehend him just meters away at a restaurant garden, and he was taken, visibly intoxicated, to the Brandstätte police station.
Police conducted alcohol testing, confirming the driver had 1.2 per mille of alcohol in his bloodstream at the time of the incident. “No one was injured during the incident,” stated the Landespolizeidirektion Wien, emphasizing the fortunate lack of injuries amid the potential for tragedy. The intoxicated driver was reported as missing from his supervised accommodation prior to the crash, leading many to question his wellbeing.
Following the events of the van crash, another incident unfolded just before 18:00 on the Süd-Ost-Tangente, Vienna's city highway. A police chase involving a Mercedes with expired German registration plates became the focus of the police response. The driver was seen weaving erratically, prompting authorities to intervene.
Desperate to escape, the unidentified driver drove the vehicle directly at a police officer, resulting in officers opening fire. They discharged 16 rounds at the vehicle, but the suspect managed to evade capture, fleeing on foot and disappearing inside the building of the Federal Office for Immigration and Integration. Despite searches by special units, he has not yet been apprehended.
Police were quick to assure the public, ruling out any possible motives of terrorism behind the van crash. They confirmed through subsequent investigations, "We understand the community's concern, especially following the recent violent incident in Mannheim. But the facts at hand do not suggest intent to harm others during the van accident. We believe it to be merely unfortunate circumstances tied to the driver’s intoxication and state of mind."
Authorities are conducting thorough investigations to assess potential charges against both drivers. Criminal proceedings are under review, particularly focusing on public endangerment, as stated by police officials. The driver of the van, following his arrest, was transferred to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation due to his concerning behavior and history. Witnesses remained shaken, recounting the terrifying moments of chaos on what was otherwise a regular evening.
Many Vienna residents took to social media, posting videos of the disturbing scenes during the arrest, which have gone viral on platforms like TikTok, raising questions about public safety and police response to similar situations.
The police urged citizens to remain vigilant but assured them of their commitment to maintaining public order. Despite the serious nature of these incidents, the police reiterated their stance on community safety, declaring, "We will continue to keep our streets secure and handle such occurrences with the utmost seriousness."
Given the severe stress from recent events, including the bomb threat earlier the same day at the Hauptbahnhof, residents expressed concern over safety and the slippery slope of rising tensions. Officials, reassuring the public, reiterated the importance of remaining calm but vigilant to avoid any potential panic.
Both incidents portray the potential dangers of intoxicated driving and the challenges law enforcement faces when handling such unpredictable situations. While the police are still sorting through the details of the events from Monday evening, they remain committed to transparency and community communication, aiming to restore peace following these frightening occurrences.
Moving forward, the city’s residents are left grappling with the unsettling reality of vehicle-related chaos on their streets, yet they are determined to reclaim their sense of safety amid such disturbances, ensuring community accountability for both drivers’ actions during this harrowing day.