Police investigate multiple shooting incidents in Lower Austria and new data shows how sharply restaurant prices have risen, plus more stories from Austria on Tuesday.
Police investigate shots fired at mosque and party office in Lower Austria
Police are investigating a shooting at the entrance of a mosque in Hollabrunn, with two additional locations now linked to the case, according to Der Standard. Shots were also fired at the local office of the Greens and at a parked car in the district capital.
Investigators from the State Office for State Security and Extremism Prevention are examining whether the incidents are connected and whether there was a religious or political motive. Several projectiles have been secured for forensic examination.
No one was injured, as the mosque was empty at the time. Police have increased patrols in Hollabrunn and are asking the public for information. The investigation is ongoing and the presumption of innocence applies.
Restaurant prices rise faster than overall inflation
Eating out in Austria has become significantly more expensive over the past five years, according to new figures from Statistics Austria cited by Die Presse. Restaurant and café prices rose by 43.9 percent between November 2020 and November 2025, compared with overall inflation of 28.7 percent.
The biggest increases were recorded for vegetarian dishes, Asian lunch menus, fish dishes, wine, and the traditional lunch menu. A breaded schnitzel now costs almost 50 percent more than five years ago.
Industry representatives point to higher wages, energy costs, food prices and staff shortages. Consumers are reacting by sharing dishes or cutting back on drinks.
Flu cases surge across Austria ahead of Christmas
Austria is seeing a sharp rise in influenza cases, with reported infections jumping by more than 70 percent in a single week, according to Kurier. The Austrian Health Insurance Fund said influenza cases increased from about 3,400 to nearly 5,800.
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Grippal infections and Covid-19 cases are also rising, with around 282,000 people currently on sick leave nationwide. Vienna is particularly affected, and the flu wave has started around four weeks earlier than in recent seasons.
Health officials are urging people to take precautions during the holiday period and to consider flu vaccination to reduce the risk of severe illness.
Ten-year-old seriously injured by fireworks in Vienna
A ten-year-old boy was seriously injured in Vienna-Penzing after a firework exploded in his hand on Sunday afternoon, according to ORF Wien. The child suffered severe hand injuries and part of a finger had to be amputated, emergency services said.
Police said they were unable to determine what type of pyrotechnic device was involved, and no witnesses were found. An investigation is ongoing.
Authorities say controls on illegal fireworks in Vienna have been stepped up. Police again warned that the possession and use of banned fireworks is illegal and poses serious risks to public safety.
What’s happening in Austria today
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At 5pm, National Council President Walter Rosenkranz and Federal Council President Peter Samt will host a Christmas concert in parliament in honour of volunteer work. The event includes performances by the Austrian Wind Music Association, with Anna Widmer singing and Günther Kleidosty conducting.
Several public services are operating on adjusted schedules. Post offices are open at least from 8am to 6pm today, while Graz City Library has special Christmas arrangements, including the suspension of the book bus from today until early January. The Arbeiterkammer Wien library is open until 7.30pm today, before closing from December 24th to January 2nd.
Today is not a public holiday in Austria, and schools remain open in most federal states. Christmas school holidays nationwide begin on December 24th, although some vocational schools and regional exceptions apply.
High-pressure weather dominates. Many low-lying areas will see fog or low cloud, with possible drizzle. Sunshine is more likely at higher elevations and in western regions. Early temperatures range from -4C to +4C, with afternoon highs between 1C and 11C depending on fog and sunshine. In Vienna, grey skies and persistent fog are expected, with temperatures around 4C.
Coming up later on The Local
We break down everything that changes in Austria in January 2026, from new work reporting rules and unemployment benefit restrictions to rent regulations, motorway vignettes and Vienna boating laws.
Vocabulary
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die Moschee – mosque
der Staatsschutz – state security service
die Inflation – inflation
die Grippe – influenza
der Feuerwerkskörper – firework device
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