Czech news in brief for July 17: Friday's top morning headlines

This morning, a deadly attack at a Prague hostel leads the headlines as police investigate after two people died and another was seriously injured. Firefighters continue battling a major blaze at a historic Zlín factory building, while MP Filip Turek faces another legal setback over unauthorized construction. And Czech swimmers get some good news as most natural bathing spots remain safe this summer. Good morning, here’s your curated look at this morning’s news.

Two people died and one was seriously injured after a knife and axe attack at a hostel in Prague on Thursday night. Police fatally shot the suspected attacker after he allegedly turned on responding officers. The injured victim was taken to a trauma center, while another person was treated for a medical emergency.

What we know: The attack happened at a hostel on Vídeňská Street reportedly used by staff from Prague’s IKEM hospital, where the attacker and victims worked as orderlies. The General Inspection of Security Corps will review the police response.

Firefighters in Zlín continue to battle a major fire at a former Baťa factory building, using water, drones, and elevated equipment to extinguish remaining hot spots. Police are questioning witnesses as they investigate the cause of the blaze, which caused part of the 11-story structure to collapse.

Investigation ongoing: Police are investigating possible negligent endangerment, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years. Several companies stored goods in the building, with damages still being assessed.

MP Filip Turek has been fined CZK 200,000 by a Prague 15 building authority for constructing two buildings without permits on his property in Prague’s Dubeč district. Officials classified one violation as negligence and the other as intentional. The decisions became final on July 3.

More Motorist trouble: Turek received separate fines of CZK 80,000 and CZK 120,000 after later obtaining permits for the structures. The property is located within the Říčanka nature park, where construction is restricted. The MP is also in hot water this week following a traffic collision in central Prague.

Czech banks and building societies issued CZK 48.9 billion in mortgages in June, 32 percent more than a year earlier, according to Czech Banking Association data. Lending volume fell 7 percent from May, while the average mortgage interest rate rose to 4.79 percent from 4.67 percent.

Rise in loans: New mortgages totaled CZK 36.5 billion, with average loan size reaching CZK 4.68 million. Analysts said higher rates and stricter rules helped slow recent market activity.

Swimming in Czech natural waters is currently considered low risk, with most monitored lakes, reservoirs, and ponds suitable for bathing, according to hygiene authorities. Only two locations, both in the Vysočina region, currently have swimming bans due to poor water quality.

Water quality: Several sites remain unsuitable for swimming because of algae, reduced visibility, or contamination, including parts of Orlík reservoir. Around 20 other locations have slightly reduced water quality and require caution.

Tram-train hybrid tested: Czech engineering company AŽD has begun testing a tram-train vehicle called Lenka on an experimental railway line between Dolní Bousov and Kopidlno. The converted tram is designed as a lower-cost alternative for regional rail services and could help revive less-used railway routes if approved for passenger operations.

Rare honey badger born: Safari Park Dvůr Králové has welcomed a honey badger cub, the only birth of the species recorded at any zoo worldwide in the past year, according to the global ZIMS database. The cub was born in late June and is the zoo’s fourth successful honey badger birth since 2020.