Elevated radioactivity detected in Prague university building; police launch investigation

Firefighters recorded elevated levels of radioactivity from an unspecified object inside a Charles University school building in Prague’s Libeň district on Saturday evening.

Emergency services were alerted by an anonymous caller who reported the presence of a suspicious item at the university premises in V Holešovičkách Street. The site is one of several facilities linked to the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague, which operates the training nuclear reactor VR-1 “Vrabec.”

According to officials, the measured radioactivity did not pose a health risk. Nevertheless, the case has been taken over by police, and the State Office for Nuclear Safety is also involved.

Officers sealed off the room where the object was discovered. Criminal investigators will now examine the case on suspicion of possible illegal handling of radioactive material.