Weekly review no. 45
30.08.2024
Aerial Bomb Keeps Refinery on Edge
The discovery of a British aerial bomb on the site of the chemical plant in Litvínov a week ago is still keeping emergency services busy. Since the bomb is equipped with a chemical timer, specialists initially waited until Tuesday in case the mechanism had been triggered by then. Since that did not happen, a controlled detonation was scheduled for Friday, weather permitting.
The bomb is a highly dangerous model that is unknown in the Czech Republic. For this reason, the experts also sought assistance from Germany, where such bombs have already been found. Due to the unpredictability of an explosion, 600 people were evacuated and the area was cordoned off.
The bomb weighs 250 kilograms, and the explosives alone weigh 150 kilograms. An uncontrolled explosion would have devastating consequences, as there are chemical plants nearby. The government is currently supplying gas stations from its reserve, as the refinery in Litvínov is the most important in the country.
To protect the industrial plants, a wall of sandbags was built in preparation for the controlled explosion on Friday.
Road closure due to a boulder in Hřensko
If you plan to drive to Pravčická brána (Pravčická Gate) this weekend, you’ll have to take a long detour. In the border town of Hřensko, a 12-cubic-meter boulder is in danger of falling onto the road. This follows a geological survey commissioned after cracks were discovered in the rock. As a result, the road in the center of the village to the left of the Kamenice River has been closed since Wednesday morning as a precautionary measure. Drivers can still reach the Hudy Sport store. Beyond that, the road is closed. However, the road along the Elbe River is not affected. The road between Schmilka and Děčín remains open.
The district road administration responsible is preparing the repairs. One option is to stabilize the rock with a protective net. “It looks like work can begin on Monday,” says Aleš Kocián, head of the Děčín Department of the Regional Road Administration. It currently appears that the closure will last at least a week.
The mayor of Hřensko, Kateřina Horáková, expressed relief that the closure will not take place until the end of the Czech school vacation. However, for many hikers, the trip to the Prebischtor will be an odyssey. The parking lot closest to the Prebischtor, located at the edge of the village, can only be reached by taking a long detour via Děčín, Ludvíkovice, Arnoltice, and Janov.
However, those arriving by train will have no problems. It is possible to walk along the path on the right side of the Kamenice stream past the church.
However, a trip to the Wild Gorge, which can be reached either from Mezná (Stimmersdorf) or Růžová (Rosendorf), is more difficult. Drivers must take the detour described here. An alternative is bus 435, which runs from the “Hřensko, Soutěsky” (Klammen) bus stop to Mezní Louka (Rainwiese), Mezná, or in the other direction to Janov.
Czechs’ Willingness to Donate to Ukraine Increases
Czechs once again donated more to Ukraine in July. One reason for this was the Russian attack on a hospital. The aid organization Člověk v tísni (People in Need) alone recorded a record donation of 100 million crowns (4 million euros) in July. According to data from February of this year, private individuals in the Czech Republic have donated over 7 billion crowns (280 million euros) since the start of the Russian invasion.
Křešice is the Village of the Year in the Ústí District
Křešice on the Elbe River, east of Litoměřice, has won the title of “Village of the Year” this year. The competition is held annually. The main focus is on social life in the village and the preservation of cultural heritage and nature. Křešice will represent the Ústí district in the national competition against the winners from the other 13 districts. The title also comes with a cash prize of half a million crowns (20,000 euros).
School Starts
School starts in the Czech Republic on Monday. Students are returning to class after a two-month vacation. According to the Ministry of Education, 118,000 first-graders are starting school for the first time this year. Traditionally, the first day of school after summer vacation is September 1. Since that date falls on a Sunday this year, school begins on September 2.
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The production of this newsletter is co-financed by tax funds based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.