Streets closed, hotline set up
A two-kilometre stretch of the Prague embankment – from the Smetana embankment to Palach Square – as well as Narodní třída and smaller streets in the surrounding area, have been closed to traffic. There were several reports over the course of Monday morning that gas could be detected in the air, and several sources said there was a danger of an additional explosion taking place, leading to an evacuation of locals and bystanders.
In the afternoon, traffic on the Smetana embankment was allowed to resume but only briefly after more gas was registered by a monitoring vehicle. City Hall has set up a crisis hotline – 800 100 991 – for those needing assistance and is ready to set up a shelter, if necessary. The building in question was not residential, however, housing mostly offices.