Tragic accident in Pirna: memorial stone commemorates Anita Krieger

Tragic accident in Pirna: memorial stone commemorates Anita Krieger

On August 17, 2015, a tragic accident occurred in Pirna that still resonates today. The night before, heavy rain had further damaged the already dilapidated building ruins next to a Lidl property on the B172. At 7:30 a.m., parts of a roof cornice fell onto the sidewalk, which had fatal consequences for 56-year-old Anita Krieger. Despite the quick arrival of the emergency doctor and rescue service, she could no longer be helped and her body was covered until forensics were collected.

The circumstances surrounding Anita Krieger were tragic. She often lived alone, had no relatives and occasionally helped at the Pirna food bank. She often spent the night in a homeless shelter. The ruin from which the dangerous rubble fell was owned by a woman who lived in Austria and did not care for the property. The city of Pirna had asked for security measures several times, but without any response from the owner.

Preparations for demolition

After the accident, the city had to act quickly. She had bricked up windows, removed loose parts and put up a construction fence to minimize the danger. After Anita Krieger was killed by the rubble, the city began demolishing the unstable parts of the ruins.

The legal investigation into the incident was not very satisfactory, the investigation was closed and no further information remained available. Despite the darkness surrounding the exact causes of the accident, one thing is certain: Anita Krieger will not be forgotten. A memorial stone that was erected by private individuals in 2018 is intended to commemorate her. Tragically, the writing on the stone has now faded and ivy has overgrown it.

A new beginning

While the memory of Anita Krieger and the circumstances of her death remains, Lidl plans to build a new supermarket in the same location. It is planned that the memorial stone should be preserved despite the new developments. The previous security efforts have not been completely in vain, one could say, but the question remains as to how much humanity there is in such planning.

Anita Krieger's story highlights the need for better monitoring and security of buildings in urban areas. The city of Pirna has taken measures, but the long period without consequences shows that there is definitely still a need for improvement.

In today's world, when more and more people live in precarious life situations, it is important that these voices are also heard. Anita Krieger, in her loneliness, is an example of how important it is to promote social cohesion and support people at risk before it is too late. Let us remember them and work to ensure that such tragic incidents are not repeated.

For further information about the background and current developments, you can Sächsische and Visit PetSupplies.