Prague commuters are in for a rough few weeks. Staroměstská metro station is going to be closed for about a month after a fire damaged the escalators this past weekend. What happened? According to the Prague Transport Company (DPP), someone threw a lit object onto the escalators, causing a cable fire. The blaze broke out just before midnight on Saturday. Firefighters got to the scene quickly and managed to put it out with handheld extinguishers. Still, the station had to be completely evacuated, and it hasn’t reopened since. Trains are currently just passing through without stopping. “Our technicians are already working on repairs,” said Daniel Šabík, DPP’s head of communications. “It’s not just about fixing cables — the whole system needs to be cleaned and tested. Once we take apart the escalator components and run measurements, we’ll know more about the exact timeline.” Six Young Men Linked to Fire — All Identified On Sunday, police released CCTV images of six young men seen near the scene. By Monday afternoon, all six had been identified. Investigators say they plan to interrogate them soon, suspecting the fire was caused by negligence and may fall under public endangerment charges. The group reportedly left...
Wolt has introduced 20 electric cars with swappable batteries in Prague as part of a new pilot project aimed at testing more sustainable delivery methods. The vehicles, provided by Romanian EV manufacturer UNY, are part of the international NG SEED program and supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Urban Mobility). The test run in Prague aims to develop scalable, eco-friendly delivery systems. Warsaw and Budapest are also participating in the initiative. What sets these electric vehicles apart is the instant battery-swapping system. Couriers can replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in just seconds — eliminating downtime and reducing delays. “I really like this project. Thanks to the size of the electric car, I can park anywhere easily and safely,” said Adam, a Wolt courier in Prague. Wolt’s goal is to evaluate whether zero-emission, last-mile delivery can be implemented on a larger scale. Unlike traditional systems, couriers pick up orders from a distribution center and deliver them directly to customers, without intermediate stops. The last-mile delivery market in Europe exceeded $30 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach nearly $55 billion by 2033. However, this booming sector contributes 5–10% of total urban transport...
With the general election approaching in October, Tomio Okamura’s Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD) is once again drawing attention — not with dramatic new proposals, but by quietly strengthening its position on the political map. Recent polling suggests SPD is holding steady between 13 and 17 percent. That might not be enough to lead the next government, but it’s more than enough to influence who does. And that possibility is making both Prime Minister Petr Fiala and opposition leader Andrej Babiš uneasy. Fiala’s centre-right Spolu coalition is battling flagging approval ratings. Babiš, despite leading most surveys, isn’t guaranteed a majority. If he falls short, he may have to consider working with Okamura — someone he’s previously dismissed as too radical for mainstream politics. But Okamura isn’t repeating the same slogans that made headlines in past campaigns. Instead, he’s adjusted his tone. The word “Czexit” has all but vanished from his speeches. In its place: calls for national referenda on EU membership and more direct public say in decisions involving Brussels. At a recent campaign stop in Ústí nad Labem, he told supporters, “We’re not talking about leaving Europe. We’re talking about returning power to the Czech people.” The message...
Restaurant lunches in Czechia have become more expensive again, continuing a trend that’s hitting consumers across the country. A new report by Edenred, a firm that specializes in employee benefits, shows that lunch prices have outpaced wage growth significantly over the past decade, leaving many Czechs paying more for less. According to Edenred’s annual survey, the average lunch menu in Czechia now costs 196 CZK. But in cities like Prague (220 CZK) and Brno (208 CZK), prices are even higher. In contrast, diners in regions like Zlín and Olomouc pay around 170 CZK, making them the most affordable areas for eating out. “From 2014 until now, lunch menu prices have risen by 130%, but average wages have only grown by 82%,” said Aneta Martišková, Edenred’s director of external relations. Rising costs of food and labor are driving the price surge The increase isn’t just about inflation. Restaurant operators point to sharp rises in ingredient costs—20 to 30 percent more expensive than just a few years ago—and the need to pay staff more competitively in a tight labor market. “Running a restaurant today is far more expensive than it used to be. Raw materials are pricier, and good staff need proper...
Summer is taking a break across Czechia this week as a series of cold fronts sweep through Central Europe, dragging in cooler, damp air from the northwest. The cooling began Monday, when a wavy cold front moved eastward across the country. Storms rolled through overnight into the morning hours, bringing rain and noticeably lower temperatures. Daytime highs hovered between 20 and 24°C, though some western parts briefly reached 26°C. Overnight, the mercury dipped to as low as 12°C in the west, with a moderate southwest to west wind persisting throughout the day. The situation is expected to worsen by Tuesday night into Wednesday, when a secondary cold front and a low-pressure system over eastern Poland deepen. These systems are set to keep skies cloudy to overcast, with persistent and sometimes heavy rainfall, particularly in Moravia and Silesia. By Wednesday, the west of the country may see partial clearing, with isolated afternoon showers. In contrast, the east will remain cloudy and wet, with ongoing heavy rain possible in northeastern regions. Daytime temperatures will peak between 18 and 22°C, though in rain-affected zones, they may remain around 16°C. Winds from the northwest will pick up, with gusts reaching 15 m/s. A split...
In an unconventional approach to cleaner streets, Prague 3 has introduced its very own superhero — Exkreman — to remind dog owners of a simple responsibility: pick up after your pet. Throughout June, residents of Žižkov began noticing stickers on pavements that read, “Exkreman sees you. Whoever doesn’t pick up — let them be ashamed!” The slogan, paired with a bold “EE” logo, marks the arrival of a new public awareness campaign that’s both playful and pointed. The brain behind the character is filmmaker František Loukota, while the costume was crafted by artist Olivia Dorůžková. Exkreman, with his unmistakable costume and satirical tone, is designed to promote cleaner public spaces in a way that’s hard to ignore. “I often observe dog walkers, and I’d say 99% of them carry bags and clean up properly,” says Prague 3 Mayor Michal Vronský. “That certainly wasn’t the case five years ago. It shows that these types of campaigns do have an effect.” Vronský believes the superhero concept will resonate even more with the public. “I’m glad we’re continuing with this initiative in a fresh, original form,” he adds. The city district has a long track record of blending humor and civic responsibility in...
For the first time ever, Colombia’s Independence Day will be officially celebrated in the Czech Republic. Organized by ASOCOLCZ and the Embassy of Colombia in Prague, the event will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Betlémské náměstí 269/1, right in the heart of the city. The full-day celebration, running from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., promises a colourful mix of Colombian music, traditional food, and cultural activities — all infused with the warmth and energy of Latin America. This marks the first official recognition of July 20, Colombia’s national holiday, on Czech soil. While informal gatherings have taken place in the past, this year’s event is a milestone for the growing Colombian community in Prague and across the country. Organisers have confirmed several performances and food stalls, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks. The event is free and open to all — locals, expats, and especially anyone who wants to experience the rich flavours and rhythms of Colombia. “It’s not just a celebration of independence; it’s a celebration of identity and community,” said one of the organisers. “We want to share our culture with everyone in Prague.” The event is part of the 5th Colombian Week...
Power has been fully restored across the Czech Republic following a widespread blackout that disrupted electricity supplies to Prague, parts of eastern Bohemia, and several northern and central regions, including Liberec, Ústí nad Labem, and the Central Bohemian Region. According to ČEPS, the national transmission system operator, all substations are now operational, and electricity distribution is gradually stabilizing across the affected areas. The outage struck around midday on Friday, causing extensive disruptions in both residential and public infrastructure. In Prague, large areas went dark, with two-thirds of the city temporarily without electricity. “The outage primarily hit the right bank of the Vltava River,” said Jan Bílek, spokesperson for Pražská energetika (PRE), in a statement to Czech Television. Substations in Malešice and Chodov were among those knocked offline. For a brief period, Řeporyje was the only operational substation serving the capital. By around 2:15 p.m., ČEPS confirmed that all Prague-area substations were back online. PRE’s Petr Holubec reported that by 2:30 p.m., most districts in Prague had their power restored. He acknowledged that some outer areas, including Letňany and Černý Most, might have experienced delays, but were also expected to be reconnected shortly. However, as of 2:50 p.m., households in Vršovice...
A widespread power outage brought large parts of Prague to a standstill on Friday morning, leaving residents without electricity, halting metro service. Prague Energy (PRE) confirmed the outage was caused by a failure at the ČEPS substation in Chodov. Firefighters responded to a high number of people trapped in elevators, particularly in residential buildings. Energy analysts reported a sudden 30% drop in grid load. According to Miroslav Řezáč, spokesperson for the Prague Fire Department, emergency units were dispatched to Chodov, Horní Měcholupy, Střížkov, Žižkov, and Vysočany. Blackouts were also reported in Letňany and several nearby areas. The city’s public transport system was severely disrupted. Metro lines A, B, and C were all out of service for several hours. Multiple tram lines and trolleybuses were also affected, causing widespread delays and forcing commuters to seek alternative transport. Residents also reported problems with non-functioning ATMs and other digital services reliant on the electricity grid. The outage is one of the most serious to hit the Czech electricity grid in recent memory. “We are currently investigating the extent of the outage and the complications it has caused,” Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan posted on X. Live updates: Traffic lights at key intersections —...
Klára Kolouchová, the first Czech woman to reach the summits of Mount Everest, K2, and Kangchenjunga, has died during an expedition on Nanga Parbat, Pakistan’s ninth-highest mountain. She was 46. Initial reports from local media in Pakistan offered conflicting explanations. Some early accounts suggested an oxygen tank explosion, while a more recent article in The Pamir Times stated that Kolouchová fell between Camp 1 and Camp 2 at around 4 a.m. on Thursday. “Her teammates later confirmed her death after returning to Base Camp, though her body remains at the site of the fall,” said Nizamuddin, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Diamir district, in a statement to The Pamir Times. Kolouchová was accompanied on the expedition by her husband and five other climbers. They arrived at Nanga Parbat’s Base Camp on June 17. It remains unclear whether they were operating as an independent team or as part of a larger group. Climbers on Nanga Parbat this season have described challenging conditions, including unusually high temperatures, bare ice, and frequent rockfalls. The snowline begins only after Camp 3, forcing climbers to navigate steep rock faces and ice sections using the front points of their crampons. The Pakistan Alpine Club has confirmed...
Emirates has reached a major milestone in Czech aviation, celebrating 15 years of operating direct flights between Prague and Dubai. Since its inaugural flight on July 1, 2010, the airline has transported over 3 million passengers across more than 8,000 flights, solidifying its role as a key player in connecting Czechia with the Middle East and beyond. The route is currently operated daily by the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft and the only one of its kind in regular service at Václav Havel Airport. With 615 seats – including 58 fully flat Business Class seats and an on-board lounge bar – the aircraft brings over 3,500 seats per week to the route, reflecting growing demand for travel between the Czech Republic and the United Arab Emirates. Economic, tourism and business ties between the two countries have also expanded. Emirates employs 116 Czech cabin crew members, 9 pilots, and 259 ground staff across departments – all trained in state-of-the-art facilities in Dubai. Their training includes advanced simulators and development programs, contributing to high standards across the board. We’re celebrating 15 years of @emirates flying between Prague and Dubai. 🎉 We appreciate this amazing partnership that connects millions to the...
As temperatures in Czechia climb to dangerous levels, Prague officials have extended the city-wide ban on outdoor fires until further notice. The decision, announced following a fire danger warning by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute on Wednesday, aims to reduce the growing risk of wildfires in the region. The ban was initially set to expire on Tuesday, later extended to Wednesday, and now remains in effect indefinitely. The extension applies to all areas deemed high-risk for fire ignition and spread, as outlined by city regulations. According to fire safety rules defined by the Prague City Hall, the following areas are considered at increased fire risk: Forests and areas within 50 meters of their edges Parks, forest parks, gardens, and other vegetation zones Hay and straw storage areas and their immediate surroundings Agricultural fields where dry crops could ignite easily In these areas, several activities are strictly prohibited during periods of elevated fire risk: Starting or maintaining an open fire, such as burning leaves, branches, or waste Smoking, with the exception of electronic cigarettes Using fireworks, firecrackers, or other pyrotechnics Lighting flying lanterns, torches, or similar ignition sources Discarding burning or smoldering objects, including cigarette butts Operating steam locomotives without approved fire...
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