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The Czech Republic has reacted to a recent statement of concern expressed by border police in the German state of Bavaria. Specifically, German police have expressed concerns that since the Czech Republic’s entry into the Schengen zone six months ago, the number of people caught entering Germany from the Czech Republic illegally has doubled. According to the Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann 633 illegal immigrants from the Czech Republic were caught in Bavaria in the first half of the year, twice as many as during the same period in 2007. However, Czech authorities have responded by stating that the situation is under control and does not pose a threat to Germany. It also pointed out that most of those caught were foreigners with Czech residency permits who were unable to travel legally and were only seeking to visit the country.

The eighth of the eighth two thousand and eight saw a boom in marriages across the Czech Republic, according to various sources. For example, the town of České Budějovice broke its previous records with 22 weddings taking place in one day. Meanwhile, the district of Prague reported 42 marriages, with 26 marriages taking place at the Old Town Hall. Besides the obvious symmetry of the date, the number eight is also viewed as representing unity.

Seven people were killed and about 70 injured in a train accident in north Moravia on Friday morning. An international express train going from Krakow to Prague crashed at about 140 km per hour into a motorway bridge which had collapsed onto the rail tracks. Emergency crews and fire fighters from across Moravia have been called to the site of the accident. Six bodies – five Czech women and a man from Poland – were found in the wreckage and a seventh person, a Ukrainian, died later in hospital. Many of the passengers on the train were young people travelling to a concert in Prague. Among the injured are Poles, French, Slovaks and a Ukrainian. A rescue services spokesman said 13 people were seriously hurt.

The Czech and Polish prime ministers, Mirek Topolanek and Donald Tusk, visited the scene to observe rescue efforts. Two emergency phone lines have been set up for the victims’ families: (+420) 974 723 202 and (+420) 974 723 201.

The bridge, which was being rebuilt, apparently collapsed while the train was approaching or passing underneath. The train driver pulled the emergency brake and jumped into the engine room, surviving with light injuries. The cause of the collapse is not clear and will be subject to thorough investigation by the authorities.

Two dozen Czech followers of the spiritual movement Falun Gong gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Prague on Thursday to stage a peaceful protest against human rights abuse in China. The demonstration will continue until Friday evening. The organizers have called on Czechs to join the global event in support of Tibet at 2.08 p.m. - the start of the Olympic Games in Beijing - by lighting a candle and praying for peace.