News

The police have arrested two men in connection with the Eurocity train crash which occurred in North Moravia last Friday. Seven people died and more than 70 were injured in one of the worst train crashes in recent Czech history. The accident occurred near the town of Studénka, in northern Moravia, after an overhead bridge, which was being repaired, collapsed onto the railway track just as the Eurocity train from Krakow to Prague was approaching. The CTK news agency reported that both men were employees of one of the building companies working on the bridge.

The Supreme State Attorneys Office warned on Thursday that some police units, particularly those dealing with economic and financial crime, were severely undermanned and could collapse as a result. In their annual report, chief prosecutors said that personal changes and an unfinished and ongoing overhaul of the police had very negative effects on its work An Interior Ministry spokesperson said that the ministry was dealing with the situation but denied that the current problems could affect criminal proceedings.

Czech shooter Kateřina Emmons won her second medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing on Thursday after finishing second in the women’s three-position 50 m rifle event. Ms Emmons also won the 10 m air rifle on Saturday becoming the first athlete to win gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In Thursday’s competition, Kateřina Emmons finished sixth in the qualifier and her position ranged between second and fourth place in the final shootout. With her final shot, she passed Eglis Yaima Cruz of Cuba, who finished third, and China’s Du Li who landed the gold.

A Czech army Airbus 319 has departed for Georgia in order to bring humanitarian supplies and also bring home Czechs who have been caught up in the fighting. Specifically, the plane will be bringing blood and blood plasma as well as bandages and other medical supplies. The estimated value of the aid package is five million Czech crowns, according to the Czech Foreign Ministry. Both Czech and Polish citizens currently in Georgia are expected to be on board the return flight. Current estimates suggest around 250 people will return from the region. Because of cited security concerns, the plane will land in neighbouring Armenia. Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers have agreed to be ready to send peacekeepers to the region, with the Czech Republic signaling its strong commitment to its soldiers joining the mission. Reports have also emerged that two Czech reporters have been mugged in the region of South Ossetia – both are reported to be unharmed.