Austria enters national mourning after school tragedy, major events cancelled, and traffic chaos in Tyrol—plus more stories from Austria on Wednesday.
Austria declares national mourning after deadly Graz school rampage
Austria is observing three days of national mourning following a school shooting in Graz on Tuesday that left at least eleven people dead, ORF reported. Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) described the event as a “national tragedy” and said Austria “stands still in this moment of horror.”
Flags will fly at half-mast across public buildings, and a minute of silence will be observed nationwide at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Political, cultural, and sporting events across the country have been cancelled. President Alexander Van der Bellen said the attack “hit our country in the heart.”
Political events postponed as mourning period begins
In the wake of the tragedy, several major political events have been called off, ORF reported. The FPÖ postponed its federal party conference, where Herbert Kickl had been expected to seek re-election. The Styrian ÖVP and KPÖ also cancelled regional party gatherings.
The Salzburg ÖVP postponed its state convention scheduled for Friday, and no politicians will appear at the Europa-Forum Wachau during the mourning period. Graz officials confirmed that all public events in the city have also been suspended.
Farewell note found, but no clear motive for Graz attack
Franz Ruf, Director General for Public Security, confirmed in a special broadcast that a farewell letter had been found in the attacker’s family home. However, it did not explain a motive. The first emergency call was received at exactly 10:00:01, Ruf added.
Child welfare report highlights progress—and urgent concerns
Austria has seen a sharp rise in family-related spending and childcare access, but serious challenges remain in child poverty, educational inequality, and abuse cases, according to a government-commissioned study, Der Standard reported.
While 94 percent of children aged three to six now attend childcare, the report flagged high dropout rates among older students and disproportionately low educational outcomes for non-Austrian nationals. It also noted a fivefold increase in reported cases involving sexual abuse material over the past decade.
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Salzburg targets dramatic car traffic reduction by 2040
Salzburg aims to cut private car use to 20 percent of all travel by 2040, down from 37 percent, as part of a new post-S-Link mobility strategy, Der Standard reported.
Plans include faster trolleybus intervals, expanded bike infrastructure, park-and-ride hubs, and new pedestrian zones. The city also plans to dissolve its existing central bus terminal and reroute through-traffic to free up space in historic areas. Salzburg already leads Austrian cities in bike commuting, with a 23 percent modal share.
Over 30,000 vehicles turned away in Tyrol over Pentecost weekend
Heavy congestion along Tyrol’s motorways prompted authorities to turn back more than 30,000 vehicles over the long Whitsun weekend, ORF reported. The worst traffic was around the Brenner Pass, where Tyrolean officials blamed uncoordinated one-lane routing inside the Italian border tunnel.
Governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) said tighter controls were essential to protect local communities but called for greater cooperation with neighbouring regions. The state may introduce earlier lorry bans at traffic hotspots and improve signage to better manage summer flows.
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15-year sentence for attempted murder with pitchfork in Upper Austria
A 27-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in prison and committed to a forensic psychiatric centre for stabbing his flatmate with a pitchfork in December, ORF reported. The attack took place in a supervised housing facility in Neukirchen am Walde.
The court found the man had diminished but not absent criminal responsibility. He had a history of violent offences and claimed he had heard voices before the attack. A psychiatric expert described him as having a severe personality disorder with a high risk of reoffending.
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