Dramatic bridge fall during the Corpus Christi procession at Lake Staffel

Dramatic bridge fall during the Corpus Christi procession at Lake Staffel

On June 19, 2025, a Corpus Christi procession took place at Lake Staffel in Seehausen, which was overshadowed by a dramatic incident. A pedestrian bridge collapsed during the festive ceremony, which led to a dangerous moment. Around 14 people were on the bridge at the time of collapse. Several people fell into the approximately 1.2 meter deep water, but could immediately swim on the shore.

A total of two people were injured in this accident. A 72-year-old woman suffered minor injuries while a 79-year-old Seehauser, who was under the bridge, suffered serious injuries to the head and cervical spine. The exact reason for the collapse of the bridge has so far been unclear. The police have started investigations and the property damage is estimated at around 15,000 euros.

Corpus Christi - Festival of the Community

Corpus Christi is an important Catholic festival that is celebrated in many parts of the world, especially in Bavaria and Austria. The holiday serves to reflect religious reflection and the connection to the church and community. His origins can be traced back to the Belgian monastery nurse Juliana von Liège, who introduced the festival of the Holy Eucharist in a vision. Pope Urban IV officially used the festival to honor the Lord's body and praised the community through the celebrations.

In Bavaria, the Corpus Christi processions are particularly pronounced and reflect the local customs. The streets are festively decorated with fresh grass and flower carpets, which often form mosaic -like patterns. The highlights of this tradition are the processions in Ruhpolding and Altötting as well as the already mentioned sea procession on Lake Staffel. These celebrations combine tradition and modernity, and visitors can immerse themselves in the living community and the cultural customs of the region.

tradition and culture in the region

The Corpus Christi processions are not only religious events, but also an expression of regional identity. In Austria, Corpus Christi is celebrated as a legal holiday. In Vienna, a pontifical office is celebrated in St. Stephen's Cathedral, followed by a procession through the city center, while the procession through the old town is a special highlight in Salzburg. Regional celebrations such as the sea processions in Upper Austria even have a tradition that goes back to 1623.

The sociable coexistence is supported in the celebrations by music bands and vocal interludes of the children, and in places such as Millstatt or casting, services are organized on the Sittlinger beach. Corpus Christi not only offers an opportunity for spiritual reflection, but also for living community formation and a deeper appreciation of local culture.

The events in Seehausen on Lake Staffel, however, throw a shadow on this traditional celebration. The investigation into the fall of the bridge show that security questions and infrastructural conditions should not be disregarded even in times of celebration.