Tragic end for an Austrian traveler in Bulgaria, his family is here

12.09.2025 | Burgas

The 23-year-old Austrian traveler Moritz Prenninger, who was documenting his adventure, met a tragic end in Bulgaria. His parents are in the country.

Снимка от Aleksey Churushkin, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Tragic end for a 23-year-old Austrian traveler in Bulgaria, his family is here for the details

The young 23-year-old Austrian traveler Moritz Prenninger, whose ambitious adventure from Linz to Istanbul was followed by thousands of people on social media, met his tragic end in Bulgaria. His death has been confirmed by his family and the mayor of his hometown, and his parents have already arrived in the country to learn the details of the incident.

Prenninger's adventure began on June 6 with a kayak trip down the Danube River, full of enthusiasm and a thirst to explore new places. Under the motto

"I love adventures"
, the young adventurer documented every stage of his journey, sharing photos and videos that quickly attracted the attention of nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram. They watched with interest as he navigated the waters of the great European river and reached the Black Sea coast, where the tragedy unfolded.

According to information provided by his family and local authorities, Moritz Prenninger died in a diving accident in Tsarevo. At the moment, the exact circumstances of the fatal incident remain unclear, but the main versions point to a tragic accident. From his social media posts, it is clear that he was not only a kayaker but also a diving enthusiast, often sharing footage of his underwater activities.

The official announcement from the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior-Burgas adds to the sad picture. On September 5 at approximately 07:00, a report was filed about a male body found in the sea in the area of "Boruna", below the Sea Garden of Tsarevo. Immediately thereafter, teams arrived at the scene and retrieved the body. It was transported for an autopsy to the "Forensic Medicine" department at UMBAL - Burgas, where the cause of death is to be determined. A pre-trial investigation has been initiated on the case.

Prenninger's death caused a wide wave of grief and shock among his followers and friends who knew him as an inspiring traveler. The news was also covered by the Austrian media, which reported that authorities in Sofia and Vienna are in constant contact on the case, providing support for the family of the deceased.

As the investigation continues, the case remains a reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can lie in wait for even the most experienced and prepared adventurers.