The delegation from the Małopolska Regional Government was returning from a study visit in the Istria region of Croatia, part of a project on nature conservation and wildlife management. It included officials from the regional office and Deputy Marshal Ryszard Pagacz.
The accident occured after a collision involving two trucks and a minibus, all of which were from Poland.
Tragically, one person - a driver of a delivery truck - was killed in the crash, while many others sustained injuries. The wounded are being transported to hospitals in Austria and the Czech Republic. The vehicle reportedly collided with a guardrail while en route to Vienna.
According to a statement from the local authorities of southern Poland, 11 people are currently receiving medical care, while another 11 are awaiting transport back to Poland under the supervision of firefighters.
#KOMUNIKAT Dziś rano doszło do wypadku na autostradzie A5 w Drasenhofen w Austrii, w którym uczestniczył polski...
Opublikowany przez Urząd Marszałkowski Województwa Małopolskiego Piątek, 17 października 2025
Head of the Regional Authorities Łukasz Smółka has been in constant contact with Deputy Head Pagacz, the Polish Embassy in Austria, the Austrian regional governor, and diplomatic services to monitor the situation and coordinate assistance.
A Polish consul is on site, working directly with emergency services. Further details are expected as authorities continue their assessment.
The motorway at the site of the accident is expected to remain closed for several hours, with a detour routed along the parallel B7 national road through the town of Drasenhofen. Long traffic queues are already forming in the direction of the Czech Republic.
(mp)
Source: IAR/Facebook.com/umwmofficial