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Summary for: Czech news in brief for January 18: Sunday's top morning headlines
Avalanche kills three Czechs in Austrian Alps
Tragedy in the mountains
Avalanche kills three Czechs in Austrian Alps
Three Czech ski mountaineers were killed on Saturday after an avalanche struck a group of seven in the Murtal area of Austria’s Styria province, Austrian media reported. The victims were swept away and buried in the snow. About 150 rescuers were deployed, with recovery continuing amid poor weather. Authorities are investigating the circumstances as multiple fatal avalanches hit Austria the same day.
River rescue
Two girls rescued from icy Vltava river
Two girls were rescued from the Vltava River in České Budějovice on Saturday after nearly drowning, police said. Passersby and officers pulled them from the water, with one girl left in critical condition. Two police officers were briefly hospitalized. Authorities are investigating whether the ice broke or the girls slipped, and warn the public against entering frozen rivers or slippery riverbanks.
Real estate prices
Prices of older apartments in Czechia surge
Purchase costs of older apartments in the Czech Republic rose 19 percent year-on-year at the end of 2025, averaging CZK 81,104 per square meter, according to FérMakléři.cz. Prices surged most in Ústí nad Labem (29 percent) and Ostrava (21 percent), while Prague and Brno remained the most expensive at CZK 151,085 and CZK 118,040 per square meter, respectively. Quarter-on-quarter growth ranged from 1–4 percent across major cities.
Change in leadership
Former PM replaced as ODS leader
Martin Kupka was elected leader of the Civic Democratic Party on Saturday, replacing former prime minister Petr Fiala after 12 years in the post. Kupka won 327 of 508 valid votes at the party congress, defeating Radim Ivan. He said ODS will focus on rebuilding its profile in opposition and plans to present a shadow government within weeks.
Rewilding in mountains
Bison reserve planned in Czech Mountains
A new European bison reserve will be established in the Doupov Mountains in western Czechia to support the species’ return and boost biodiversity. The 130-hectare site will also host wild horses to help maintain open grassland. Conservation groups have begun buying land and are raising CZK 2.5 million crowns, with about 30 percent secured so far.
🏛️Poll of the day
With news that Prague ticket inspectors will soon wear body cameras, we were wondering: have you ever been fined on the city's public transport system?
