Police closed Prague’s 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 Pietà 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:

“Charles Bridge is currently closed due to the intervention of IZS units involving a man seated on a statue. Negotiators are on the scene.”

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 man’s identity or motive. The bridge remained closed to the public for the duration of the standoff.

Důvodem proč muž stojí na soše je to, že chce spáchat sebevraždu. Vyjednávání stále pokračuje. pic.twitter.com/7O0ULum6HF

— Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) May 3, 2025

Photos: Aktu.cz

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