Isardüker Unglück

Who can imagine the sheer terror of being swept away by the unforgiving current of the Isar River? Right here, at the Isardücker Unglück memorial, we remember twelve men who met such a fate. This simple stone monument stands as a stark reminder of a tragedy that unfolded on June 18th, 1924. The Isardücker, a critical underwater pipeline, was under construction. It was meant to carry treated wastewater under the Isar to the pump station in Unterföhring. A temporary bridge, crucial for the project, had been partially destroyed by flooding just days before. A ferry became the lifeline for workers crossing the river. At midday, a group of workers prepared to cross. Ignoring warnings, more men boarded the pontoon than it could safely carry. The overloaded ferry, its hull sitting too low in the water, snagged on a submerged obstacle. Perhaps a rock, maybe an old piling. The pontoon swung sideways. The swift Isar poured over the edge. The ferry sank rapidly. Twelve men lost their lives in the churning waters of the Isar. The Isardücker Unglück memorial lists their names. Men like Anton Brunner, only 25, from Vilsbiburg. Johann Dorfner, also 25, from Schwaigen bei Garmisch. Josef Gerbl, a seasoned 65-year-old from Berg bei Deggendorf, and Bonifaz Günzinger, the same age, from Garching. This memorial serves as a poignant testament to the dangers faced by those who built the infrastructure we often take for granted. The Isardücker, completed after this tragedy, continues to function today. It carries treated wastewater under the Isar, a silent reminder of the twelve men who perished in its creation. The Isardücker Unglück memorial stands as a solemn tribute to their sacrifice.