Czech news in brief for August 14: Friday's top afternoon headlines

Friday afternoon’s top stories include the evacuation of hundreds of Czechs from wildfire-hit Croatia, the search for an Israeli mother and daughter who traveled from Prague to Vienna, and a new organizer for the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. Also today: Czech aid for Colombia’s earthquake victims and new data on children removed from families.

About 300 Czechs have been evacuated from the area around the Croatian resort town of Omiš following a large wildfire, the Czech Foreign Ministry said Aug. 14. No Czech citizens have suffered serious injuries. Some tourists left independently, while others are sheltering in evacuation centers in Omiš and Split. The fire remains uncontrolled, with roads closed and power outages reported. Czech consular staff are assisting evacuees.

Israeli authorities are searching for a 50-year-old woman and her 23-year-old daughter who disappeared in Vienna after traveling from Prague. The pair last contacted family Aug. 7 from their Vienna accommodation. Austrian police found no signs of a crime, while one of their phones was later detected near Vienna’s main train station. Europol and Israel’s Mossad have joined the investigation, amid reports that authorities believe the women may have left Vienna.

Czech humanitarian organization ADRA has launched a fundraiser to help people affected by Monday’s devastating earthquake in Colombia, which has killed at least 265 people, injured nearly 3,500 and left 496 missing. ADRA says donations will provide direct financial support to affected families so they can cover essential needs. Czech humanitarian groups also raised more than CZK 19 million for victims of a June earthquake in Venezuela.

Authorities in Czechia removed 3,616 children from their families in 2025, up 8% from the previous year, according to Labour Ministry data. Neglect was the most common reason, affecting 2,259 children, while 193 cases involved abuse and 62 involved sexual abuse. The ministry plans to establish a new Office for Family and Child Protection to standardize procedures. Experts say intensive support for families could prevent many removals.

The Dagmar and Václav Havel Vision 97 Foundation and Charter 77 Foundation will organise the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, replacing the Václav Havel Library as co-organiser. The Council of Europe will remain the award’s guarantor. The €60,000 prize recognises outstanding human rights achievements. This year’s laureate will be selected in September, with the award ceremony and an international conference scheduled for Sept. 30 in Prague.