VIENNA — What began as a quarrel over a shared apartment in Vienna’s Favoriten district erupted into a violent street fight on Friday morning, leaving two Moroccan men injured and under investigation, police said Saturday.
The altercation broke out shortly before noon on Buchengasse, when a 32-year-old man allegedly sprayed his 41-year-old roommate with pepper spray during a heated argument. The older man then pulled a knife, reportedly striking back with multiple blows that left the younger man with deep, bleeding wounds to his neck and hands.
Passersby alerted emergency services after witnessing the bloody confrontation in the busy residential street. Police and paramedics arrived within minutes, providing first aid before transporting the injured man to a hospital. Authorities said his condition is stable and not life-threatening.
Investigators believe the fight was sparked by ongoing tensions over shared living arrangements, though the exact motive remains under review. Both men, who are Moroccan nationals, have been charged with assault.
A police spokesperson described the scene as “chaotic and alarming,” emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing and forensic evidence, including the knife and pepper spray, has been secured.
Favoriten, Vienna’s 10th district, has a large immigrant population and has occasionally been the scene of violent disputes. Police have increased patrols in the area following the incident but said there was no threat to the public.
Authorities expect to forward the case to prosecutors early next week as they determine whether additional charges, including use of a weapon in a public place, will be filed.
