Charles Bridge Closed After Man Mounts Statue with Knife in Hand
Prague Morning

Police closed Pragueโs Charles Bridge on Saturday afternoon after a man climbed onto one of its statues.
The man, reportedly a foreign national, was seen sitting on the Pietร statue. According to police, he was initially armed with a snap-off carpet knife, which he later discarded.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and paramedics, arrived on site alongside a police negotiator who attempted to communicate with the man. Authorities confirmed the closure and ongoing intervention via the X network, stating:
โCharles Bridge is currently closed due to the intervention of IZS units involving a man seated on a statue. Negotiators are on the scene.โ
Several units from the Prague Police Department were dispatched, including officers from the river division, who patrolled the Vltava River below the bridge. Images from the scene showed officers carrying long firearms, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Police spokesman Richard Hrdina confirmed that the incident drew a large-scale response, but did not provide further details on the manโs identity or motive. The bridge remained closed to the public for the duration of the standoff.
Dลฏvodem proฤ muลพ stojรญ na soลกe je to, ลพe chce spรกchat sebevraลพdu. Vyjednรกvรกnรญ stรกle pokraฤuje. pic.twitter.com/7O0ULum6HF
โ Policie ฤR (@PolicieCZ) May 3, 2025
Photos: Aktu.cz
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