Four men hospitalized after shisha-linked carbon monoxide poisoning in Vienna

Four men in Vienna were rushed to a general hospital after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning while smoking shisha. The incident took place early on Sunday in an apartment in the Favoriten district. Emergency services were alerted around 4:30 a.m. following reports of severe dizziness and headaches.

The men, aged between 30 and 36, began feeling unwell after using a shisha pipe indoors. Firefighters and paramedics arrived at the flat on Quellenplatz and detected dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide. All four were immediately taken to the general hospital for treatment.

This case follows a worrying trend in Austria. Over the past five years, around 15 documented incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning linked to shisha smoking have been recorded. Some of these resulted in hospitalisations in cities like Vienna and Salzburg, according to reports from the Health Ministry and the Chamber of Labour.

Authorities have repeatedly warned about the risks of using shisha pipes in poorly ventilated spaces. Carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless gas, can build up quickly and lead to serious health consequences. The latest incident highlights the ongoing dangers associated with improper indoor shisha use.