A roundup of the latest news on Monday

Vienna sees sharp rise in youth drug emergencies

Vienna has recorded a nearly 30 percent increase in drug-related emergency cases involving people under 18 this year, according to figures from the city’s ambulance service shared with Die Presse. 

Between January and April, 297 cases were reported among minors, up from 231 in the same period last year. The number of adult cases also rose by around 13 percent.

Emergency doctor Mario Krammel warned that opioids, often mixed with substances like liquid ecstasy, are especially dangerous for younger patients. The city’s drug coordinator, Ewald Lochner, said that although overall consumption levels appear stable, riskier patterns and stronger substances—particularly benzodiazepines—are becoming more common. 

A dedicated working group was launched in response to a drug-related death in Simmering in early 2024.

Older jobseekers face deep-rooted bias in Austrian hiring practices

Austrian workers over 50 often struggle to find jobs despite many wanting—and needing—to stay in the workforce longer, Der Standard reported. 

A recent Marketagent survey found that although most workers support intergenerational workplaces, hiring managers remain prejudiced: older applicants are seen as expensive, inflexible, and less resilient.

Recruiters say many of these assumptions are outdated, especially since protections against firing older employees were lifted in 2017. Nevertheless, jobseekers over 50 often get overlooked—some even remove their birthdates or doctor their CVs. Experts advise candidates to modernise their application materials and adapt to each company. Meanwhile, the government is implementing measures to delay retirement and boost senior employment.

Authorities bust illegal luxury lottery in Vienna

An illegal online lottery offering luxury cars and Rolex watches has been shut down following a raid in Vienna’s Floridsdorf district, ORF Wien reported. 

Twelve suspects—many of whom were staying in Austria illegally—are now under investigation. They allegedly sold thousands of tickets for up to €100 each, luring participants across Europe through social media.

Police discovered between €600,000 and €800,000 in illicit sales. Only one Rolex was handed over voluntarily, while a customs sniffer dog found two more hidden in a laundry box. The organisers now face serious charges under Austria’s gambling laws and immigration regulations. Authorities praised the international cooperation in ending what they described as an unscrupulous fraud scheme.

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Western rail line closure starts today, ÖBB promises improvements

Austria’s “new” western rail line between St. Pölten and Vienna will be closed from May 12th to June 5th to complete repair work following last year’s floods, ORF Niederösterreich reported. 

Commuters expressed frustration over the disruption, although many acknowledged that the work is necessary. Some are adjusting by working from home or using the older western route, which adds at least 30 minutes to travel times.

ÖBB says it learned from past disruptions and has improved replacement services, added seating, and made technical upgrades to reduce future flood risks. The closure affects long-distance trains and several regional and commuter lines, including S80, S50, CJX5, and REX routes.

Dog alerts police to car thief in Linz

A barking French bulldog in Linz unwittingly helped police foil a car theft, ORF Oberösterreich reported. 

On Sunday morning, residents reported the dog locked in a car with a cracked window. Firefighters freed the animal and discovered the vehicle was stolen, complete with drug paraphernalia and original licence plates.

The dog’s owner—a 27-year-old man under the influence of drugs—appeared at the scene shortly after. He refused a drug test and was reported to prosecutors. The stolen car was returned to its rightful owner, and the dog was taken to an animal shelter.

Convicted fake teacher wants to return to school in Steyr

A 48-year-old man who was exposed as a fake teacher earlier this year now says he wants to teach again, ORF Oberösterreich reported. 

The man was sentenced in April to three months’ probation for using forged certificates to work at a secondary school in Steyr. Despite the conviction, which will not appear on his criminal record, he desired to reapply, claiming his students are “waiting for him.”

The man had previously taught German and PE, and says he dropped out of teacher training shortly before finishing. While acknowledging a guilty conscience, he said he sees himself as a dedicated educator.

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Man remanded after deadly spade attack on neighbour in Graz

A 53-year-old man suspected of killing his neighbour with a spade has been remanded in custody, ORF Steiermark reported. The attack occurred on Friday in the courtyard of a residential building in Graz. The victim, a 72-year-old woman, died at the scene from severe injuries to her face and neck.

The suspect was arrested after attempting to flee during initial police questioning. He reportedly cited a long-standing dispute as the motive for the attack. The Graz public prosecutor’s office cited both flight risk and the risk of further offences in justifying pre-trial detention.

Rape suspect arrested in Lower Austria

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman in Vienna’s Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus district on May 4th, ORF Wien reported. The woman was attacked between two cars after a brief conversation turned aggressive. She had refused the man’s sexual advances.

Police say the woman could identify the suspect, an Afghan national registered in the Baden district. He was arrested and taken to prison, where he partially confessed. Police also seized electronic devices from his home as investigations continue.

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