Weekly review no. 45
30.08.2024
Aerial bomb keeps refinery on tenterhooks
The discovery of a British aerial bomb on the site of the chemical plant in Litvínov a week ago is still keeping the emergency services busy. As it is a bomb with a chemical time program, the specialists initially waited until Tuesday in case the mechanism was triggered by then. As this did not happen, the targeted detonation was planned for Friday, depending on the weather conditions.
The bomb is a very dangerous model that is unknown in the Czech Republic. For this reason, the experts also sought help in 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 state currently supplies petrol 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 for the controlled explosion on Friday.
Road closure due to boulder in Hřensko
If you want to drive to Pravčická brána (Pravčická Gate) at the weekend, you have to take a long detour. In the border town of Hřensko, a 12 cubic meter boulder is threatening to fall onto the road. This is the result of a geological survey that was 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 has been closed since Wednesday morning as a precautionary measure. Drivers can still get as far as the Hudy Sport store. After that it's over. However, the road along the Elbe is not affected. The road between Schmilka and Děčín is passable.
The responsible district road administration is preparing the renovation. One option is to stabilize the rock with a protective net. "It looks like the work can start on Monday," says Aleš Kocián, Head of the Děčín Department of the Regional Road Administration. It currently looks like 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 vacations. However, for many hikers, the trip to the Prebisch Gate will be an odyssey. The nearest parking lot to the Prebischtor at the end 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 use the path on foot 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 bus stop "Hřensko, Soutěsky" (Klammen) to Mezní Louka (Rainwiese), Mezná or in the other direction to Janov.
Czech 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 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 east of Litoměřice has won the title of "Village of the Year" this year. The competition is held every year. 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 with the winners in 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. Pupils return to class after a two-month vacation. According to the Ministry of Education, 118,000 first graders are new to schools this year. Traditionally, the first day of school after the summer vacation is September 1. As it falls on a Sunday this year, school starts on September 2.
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