A serious accident occurred at around 9am on Wednesday in Mödling, Lower Austria. Two workers lost consciousness while working on a gas pipeline about two metres below ground, Der Standard reported.
According to police, one man – an employee of Wiener Netze – died at the scene. A second worker was flown to the hospital with serious injuries.
The surrounding houses were evacuated as a precaution, but authorities have since given the all-clear. Police initially said a serious explosion may have occurred, but Wiener Netze told Der Standard this was unlikely, saying the incident was instead caused by an oxygen shortage following the gas leak.
The exact cause remains under investigation.
Editor's note: This story was updated with further details at 2pm.
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