Vandalism at the Watzmann: Mountain rescue services discover shocking damage

Vandalism at the Watzmann: Mountain rescue services discover shocking damage

On November 4th, 2025, a well-known place in the Ramsau mountains caused a stir: During a routine inspection of their shelter hut at Watzmann-Hocheck, the Ramsau mountain rescue service discovered significant damage that indicates deliberate destruction. The original plan was simply to repair a reported hole in the hut. For this purpose, four mountain rescue teams and two police mountain guides from the Alpine task force were mobilized.

What they found was alarming. In addition to the originally reported hole, numerous other destructions became visible, which quickly raised suspicions that the same perpetrators were behind all this damage. The damage, which now amounts to four-digit amounts, could increase even further due to repairs and material costs.

Massive vandalism damage

The emergency services, who were flown to the summit in a police helicopter, found a badly damaged emergency room. In the main room it was discovered that a padlock was so badly damaged that it had to be opened. Broken windows and a broken lock also couldn't be overlooked. This destruction makes access to tools and equipment impossible in an emergency, which significantly endangers mountain rescue operations.

Particularly frightening: a broken window was also discovered in a publicly accessible shelter. This led to further water damage, which affected the wooden wall of the shelter so badly that repairs will probably no longer be possible. The situation is anything but pleasant for the mountain rescue service.

Investigations are ongoing

The police have already initiated an investigation into property damage and are asking the public for help. Information about the perpetrators is urgently desired. Mountain rescue operations manager Michael Renner explained that he assumes that the alleged perpetrators are responsible for all the damage. An urgent appeal to ensure safety in the mountains and prevent vandalism.

Overall, the discovery of the vandalism damage to the Watzmann is a strong warning signal for all mountain hut owners and those who are active in these regions. Nature and the safety of mountain rescue must not be endangered. The urgent message is clear: leave the mountains alone and respect the work of the helpers.

Back to everyday life, but the question that remains in the back of our minds is how this could have happened and what needs to be done to prevent such incidents in the future. As part of our community, we should ensure that our mountains remain safe and respected.