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Around 100 people were evacuated from Prague’s Žižkov Television Tower on Saturday afternoon after smoke filled an elevator shaft. Firefighters declared a second level of alert, according to their spokesperson Miroslav Řezáč, but no injuries were reported. The incident was caused by a malfunctioning elevator motor that began to spark, leading to smoke in the shaft and triggering the building’s alarm system. The lift subsequently shut down. Most visitors had already evacuated the tower before firefighters arrived. Police were also present at the scene. The 216-metre-high tower includes an observation restaurant at the top, accessible only by elevator.

Large crowds of people gathered on Prague’s Letná plain on Saturday for a protest organized by Million Moments for Democracy, with the area filling up even before the official start. Public transport to the site was crowded and volunteers helped direct arriving participants. Police said the event was largely peaceful, although officers detained a man who had been firing airsoft guns from a nearby window.

Speakers sharply criticized the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) and warned of democratic backsliding. Actor Ivan Trojan said it was “too high a price” for Babiš’s political immunity that extremist and populist parties hold key ministries such as foreign affairs and defence. While acknowledging the election results, he argued that real political influence was shifting toward parties like SPD and Motorists. Trojan also warned against growing aggression in politics and said Czechia risked following the path of Hungary and Slovakia, including weakening support for Ukraine.

Former Academy of Sciences head Václav Pačes cautioned that a proposed law on registering foreign ties of NGOs could be misused to gradually limit personal freedoms. Million Moments chairman Mikuláš Minář said the protest aimed to defend democracy and reject the abuse of power, stressing that the group receives no foreign or public funding.

Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody has tightened security measures following a fire at an industrial site in Pardubice that is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack. The company said it has increased monitoring of its premises, including airspace surveillance, and placed its fire brigade on full alert. Aero Vodochody said it is in close contact with Czech security authorities and is coordinating further steps based on their recommendations. The company, the country’s largest aircraft producer, develops and manufactures both military and civilian aviation technology, including the L-39 Skyfox training jet. It added that it regularly reviews and updates its security protocols in response to evolving threats to ensure the safety of employees, operations and surrounding areas.

Nearly half of social workers in Czechia have considered leaving their profession in the past year due to low pay, according to a survey by the Czech Streetwork Association. The poll, involving 428 respondents, focused on professionals working with vulnerable groups such as families in crisis, homeless people, and those struggling with addiction. Around a quarter earn less than CZK 30,000 gross per month, while only eight percent reach what experts describe as a “living wage.” Many are forced to take second jobs to make ends meet. The association warns that underfunding and job insecurity are driving staff shortages and high turnover in the sector.