28 January 2023 , 08:13
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Six children born in the UK have been found living in an abandoned wine cellar in Austria.
The infants, aged under five, were discovered at the illegal hideout in the village of Orbritz with a 54-year-old man and his 40-year-old wife.
Police broke in and arrested the man after he allegedly attacked social service workers with pepper spray and barricaded himself inside.
Authorities found firearms in the underground cellar, where the family is believed to have been living for several months. They are checking whether the guns are legally owned.
The unnamed man was released two days ago after it was determined that he posed no risk to the children.
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Police broke in and arrested the man after he allegedly attacked social service workers with pepper spray (OrfTV)Deputy mayor Erich Greil said there had been recent complaints about the family.
He told reporters: "The surveillance cameras in front of the cellar were particularly annoying, and residents sometimes heard children's voices in the basement, and as soon as they approached it was quiet."
The unnamed man is believed to have purchased up to five cellars in the area.
Deputy mayor Erich Greil said there had been recent complaints over surveillance cameras in front of the cellar (OrfTV)"He once told me he has ten children and he wants a cellar for each child", added Mr Greil.
"The contracts are up to the municipality. However, the cellars may not be used for residential purposes."
The renovated cellars had doors, windows, electricity and water, but were deemed not suitable for children and said to have inadequate sanitation.
The unnamed man is believed to have purchased up to five cellars in the area (OrfTV)Police sources told The Telegraph that the children were not locked up or neglected. There is no suggestion of sexual abuse.
The children were checked over in hospital in front of their mum and reportedly taken into care after it became difficult to establish their identities.
They were born in England, but it remains unclear whether they have British citizenship.