A train with two German women who showed symptoms of coronavirus was stopped on the way from Italy to Munich. Shortly thereafter, Austria responded with a drastic measure.
- A train from Italy to Munich apparently had two suspected coronavirus cases on board.
- The train was stopped at the Austrian-Italian border for fear of the coronavirus *.
- Shortly afterwards Austria reacted with a drastic measure.
Munich - A train with two suspected coronavirus cases on board was en route from Venice to Munich on Sunday. The Eurocity was stopped at the Brenner border between Austria and Italy . According to the report, the two German women had a fever - a typical coronavirus symptom *.
According to oe24, the Austrian interior minister Karl Nehammer said that the train is currently at the Brennero border station on Italian territory. "We take the situation in Italy very seriously," said Nehammer.
Coronavirus: train on the way to Munich
Following the cessation of rail traffic, several hundred rail passengers are currently waiting at the Italian-Austrian border crossing for their onward journey to Munich. The Italian authorities confirmed on Sunday evening to the Austrian news agency APA that around 300 passengers on board the Eurocity 86 from Venice to Munich had been stopped on the Italian side. According to the Deutsche Bahn, the Eurocity 1288, which was also supposed to run from Venice to Munich, was stopped at the Brenner.
The South Tyrolean civil defense was involved in order to provide support - mostly Austrians and Germans - to the APA police in Bolzano. The passengers could disembark as the Italian health authorities had not imposed any restrictions on movement.
Drastic measure for fear of coronavirus: Austria stops train traffic with Italy
Shortly after the incident became known, Austria announced on Sunday evening that the train traffic with Italy would be completely stopped. According to the Austrian state railway company ÖBB , all train connections to the neighboring country are suspended. How long the rail traffic will remain suspended is not yet clear, said an ÖBB spokesman in the evening. In consultation with the Italian State Railways, the ÖBB will decide on the further procedure. The Italian state railway company had previously informed ÖBB about the possible cases. At this point, part of the train had already been isolated.
Austrian # ÖBB will stop train services to and from the #Brenner until further notice. Previously, the Eurocity 86 towards Munich had been stopped. 2 people with fever on board. Passengers are taken care of. Advice is currently being given on how to proceed. # COVID19italia
- Andrea Beer (@ AndreaBeer2) February 23, 2020According to the Deutsche Bahn, a total of two trains that were traveling from Italy to Munich were stopped at the Brenner. The Eurocity 86 and Eurocity 1288 are now on the Italian side of the border, said a railway spokesman in Berlin. Regional trains were also stopped.
Coronavirus in Italy: 152 sufferers and two deaths
Italy is the country with the highest number of confirmed sufferers in Europe. So far, 1 52 people have tested positive for the virus. Three people died from the virus. Most infected people are in Lombardy. Italy wants to stop the rapid spread of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus with drastic measures such as restricted areas. Several communities in northern Italy have been cordoned off to prevent the virus from spreading. The Venice Carnival and all sporting events will be canceled, museums and schools in the entire Veneto region will remain closed until March 1st, announced regional president Luca Zaia. Austria has not yet had an official corona virus case.
In our news ticker * we keep you up to date on the most important global developments related to the corona virus.
Video: Corona virus: Italy wants to cordon off cities because of the corona virus
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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network
