93-year-old man arrested after gas explosion destroys Vienna house, injures nine

The explosion

In the early hours of Sunday, 5 July 2026, a powerful gas explosion ripped through a single-family home in Vienna's Floridsdorf district, reducing it to rubble. The blast also severely damaged adjacent houses. Police suspect the 93-year-old resident of the destroyed home deliberately triggered the explosion. The motive remains unknown and is under investigation.

Casualties and emergency response

Nine people were injured, including the suspect. A 25-year-old pregnant woman was among those hurt and was taken to hospital. Six other residents received medical attention at the scene from the Vienna professional rescue service and were later discharged to recover at home. The suspect was located by rescue teams in the basement of the collapsed building. Despite his injuries, he was successfully extracted and taken to a hospital. In total, three individuals required hospitalisation: the suspect, the pregnant woman, and one other person whose identity has not been released.

Arrest and legal proceedings

On the instructions of the public prosecutor's office, the 93-year-old was arrested on suspicion of intentional endangerment of the public (vorsätzliche Gemeingefährdung). He remains under police guard in the hospital while receiving medical care. The charge reflects the deliberate nature of the act and the risk it posed to neighbours and emergency responders.

Investigation underway

Fire investigators from the Vienna State Criminal Police Office (Landeskriminalamt Wien) have taken over the scene. They are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to gather evidence regarding the suspect's actions. The full extent of the structural damage to the surrounding houses is still being assessed.