Thousands of people were infected at the beginning of this year in Ischgl, the Ibiza of the Alps. The ski resort should have closed its doors earlier, according to the investigation committee. The Austrian Commission of Inquiry has found no evidence that the fashionable ski resort of Ischgl remained open under pressure from the hoteliers and ski lift owners. The committee now concludes, after months of research, that Ischgl should have closed at least 4 days earlier on the basis of the epidemiological data.

Yet everything went wrong when it became clear that hundreds of tourists had become infected with the corona virus in and around Ischgl. For example, the inquiry commission concludes in its 300-page final report that there was serious interference between the Austrian government and the local authorities. The mayor of Ischgl also has something to explain because, according to the report, he would have deliberately waited a day before disseminating a decision by the higher authorities that the ski station had to shut down the lifts for good.

criminal

Chancellor Kurz and the Ministry of Health in Vienna are also beaten. There was a lack of communication with the responsible authorities in the region. Due to this incident, legal proceedings are pending against the Austrian authorities, brought by winter sports enthusiasts from various countries. Hundreds of Dutch have joined the cause. According to the committee, only the mayor of Ischgl can be blamed under criminal law. On Wednesday he was already ordered by the regional driver to stop the ski lifts. According to the law, he should do that as soon as possible, but it didn't happen until later.

Also read: Ski resort Ischgl is open again after mandatory quarantine