Freezing rain caused serious problems across Prague on Tuesday morning, leading to dozens of injuries and forcing emergency services to activate a trauma plan as the number of incidents quickly rose.

Paramedics were responding to calls from shortly after midnight. By 8 a.m., they had already treated 48 people who had fallen on icy sidewalks and streets.

Most suffered broken arms or legs, along with head and back injuries. As the pressure on rescue teams increased, emergency services declared a trauma plan shortly before 9 a.m. to manage the growing number of cases.

Additional ambulance crews were deployed and the medical operations center was reinforced.

By late morning, rescuers reported that they had assisted around 100 injured people in total. Officials urged residents to move carefully, wear footwear with good grip and avoid unnecessary travel while conditions remained dangerous.

Hospitals across the city reported heavy pressure on emergency departments. Thomayer University Hospital said its surgical emergency unit had been full since the early hours, with doctors treating mainly limb fractures and injuries to the head and spine.

Similar situations were reported at Motol Hospital, Homolka Hospital, Bulovka Hospital and the General University Hospital. Medical staff warned that falls on ice can have serious consequences, particularly for older people, patients with existing health conditions and children.

Local officials also warned residents to take the situation seriously. In Prague 7, Mayor Jan Čižinský said that streets in the district remained hazardous despite overnight efforts to spread grit and salt. He urged people to limit movement and to warn family members and neighbors about the conditions.

Transport across the capital and surrounding areas was affected as well. Václav Havel Airport Prague had to reduce operations and restrict arrivals in order to keep runways, taxiways and aircraft stands clear of ice. The airport warned passengers to expect delays throughout the morning.

Rail services were disrupted in several parts of Prague because ice formed on overhead power lines. Some trains were cancelled, while others ran behind schedule.

Although Prague’s public transport system continued to operate, the situation in the Central Bohemian Region was worse. Transport authorities reported that many suburban and regional bus lines were unable to run safely and advised people to postpone travel if possible.

Meteorologists had warned in advance that freezing rain would affect large parts of the country, including Prague, Central Bohemia, Vysočina and areas of Moravia and the Pardubice Region.

In several locations, between three and six millimeters of freezing precipitation fell, creating a thick layer of ice that remained on the ground as temperatures stayed below zero.

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