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An avalanche hit a group of four Czech and Slovak tourists in Austria’s Totes Gebirge mountain range on Sunday. All members managed to free themselves, though one person sustained minor injuries. According to Austrian police, the avalanche was triggered on the slopes of the 2,515-meter Grosser Priel. The group was swept for approximately 90 meters before the snow split into two streams at a terrain break and continued into the valley. The tourists survived due to the terrain break. A 49-year-old man suffered a knee injury, while the others escaped unharmed. All were airlifted to safety, with the injured man taken to a hospital in Kirchdorf.

The Easter holiday launched the visitor season at state-run heritage sites across the Czech Republic. Castles and chateaux are offering festive events, markets, craft workshops, and special guided tours, including programs for families.

A key highlight this year is the National Heritage Institute’s long-term project “In the Footsteps of Noble Families,” focusing on aristocratic travel during the 19th century. The initiative explores how railways, steam navigation, and later automobiles transformed mobility.

In 2025, sites managed by the National Heritage Institute attracted 4.3 million visitors, a six percent increase year-on-year. The institute oversees around 100 historic properties, including castles, monasteries, churches, and technical monuments, funded through a mix of public budgets and European programs.

The Czech Republic will be represented at the upcoming NATO summer summit in Ankara by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna, and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka. The government does not currently expect President Petr Pavel to attend.

All three cabinet members confirmed their participation to Czech Television. However, the president is seeking further discussions with the prime minister on the composition of the delegation, though no meeting date has yet been agreed.

Traditionally, the Czech head of state has represented the country at NATO summits, while the prime minister has attended European Union meetings.

Government envoy for the Green Deal and MP Filip Turek (Motorists’ party) has threatened on Facebook to intervene in state subsidies sought by the environmental organization Hnutí Duha (Friends of the Earth CR) from the Ministry of the Environment.

Ministry spokesperson, Veronika Krejčí, told Czech Radio that the organization’s application had already been approved and the funds allocated.

Turek received backing from his party leader and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, who wrote that he considers Hnutí Duha, “without much exaggeration,” to be a terrorist organization. Macinka added he would be “deeply disappointed” if the group continued to receive taxpayer funding.