Cemetery dispute escalates: gardeners fight each other with shovels and poles!

Cemetery dispute escalates: gardeners fight each other with shovels and poles!

Fights in the workplace are a serious issue that does not stop at the peaceful realm of the Ottakringer Cemetery. How Pulse24 reported, there was a physical altercation between two cemetery gardeners on July 10, 2024. The 47-year-old, who was talking about an upcoming vacation in Turkey, was faced with a strong reaction from his 42-year-old colleague, who felt his religious feelings had been hurt and then insulted him.

The situation escalated when the younger gardener first grabbed secateurs and later an iron bar. His colleague, to defend himself, picked up a shovel. This not only led to a physical fight, but also to serious injuries on both sides. While the 42-year-old suffered a broken joint and a broken rib, the 47-year-old suffered a bruise and a laceration.

Legal consequences and opinions

The courts ultimately handed out suspended sentences in each case: the older gardener received a conditional sentence of 12 months for grievous bodily harm, while his colleague got away with a 4-month suspended sentence. Both men justified their actions as self-defense, but the court rejected that argument. It found that both had gotten into aggressive arguments and used their weapons to injure each other. The labor inspection informed that violence in the workplace is becoming more and more important and that various laws address incidents of this type, as they can often lead to psychological impairments.

The issue of violence at work is not only relevant in urban gardens or among green space workers. According to the Labor Inspectorate, there is an increasing rate of threats and attacks, especially in jobs with high contact with customers or clients. Such incidents can have serious impacts on the working atmosphere and the mental health of employees.

A view of the Ottakring cemetery

The Ottakring Cemetery, where this incident took place, is not only a place of peace, but also an important piece of Vienna's history. Nestled at Gallitzinstrasse 5, the area extends over 179,472 square meters and offers space for around 27,000 grave sites. Opened in 1835, the cemetery was originally used to bury non-locals. Historically, a lot has happened here, as shown by the extensive infrastructural developments, construction projects and even burial regulations.

The prominent graves immortalized here deserve special attention. These include, among others, the Viennese song singer Hansl Schmid and a memorial for the victims of the inflation demonstration. With such a deep history, the Ottakring Cemetery should remain a place of remembrance and reflection, even if tragic incidents such as the recently reported dispute between the gardeners disrupt the peaceful atmosphere.

It remains to be hoped that such disputes will be avoided in the future and that the Ottakringer Cemetery will remain, above all, a place of peace and remembrance. Clear communication and, if necessary, supportive measures in the workplace could help reduce psychological stress and prevent violent confrontations.