False bomb threat leads to temporary evacuation of Prague's Old Town Square

Last night, police evacuated Old Town Square in Prague's historical center for approximately an hour and a half due to a suspicious item. A bomb disposal expert was called in to assess the situation and determine if the item posed a potentially explosive threat. However, the expert was unable to confirm the suspicion, police spokesman Jan Rybanský told ČTK.

On Sunday afternoon, a similar false alarm took place at the nearby Spanish Synagogue. Likewise, on Tuesday, police halted trams at Wenceslas Square in the city center due to an abandoned piece of luggage.

A call was made to the 158 emergency line at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, reporting a suspicious item beneath the Old Town Clock, Rybanský said. Firefighters and police quickly responded and blocked off the nearby area. After assessing the situation, the bomb squad determined that it could potentially be an explosive device, leading them to evacuate the entire square.

Last night, the authorities announced that a barrel had been discovered in front of the Old Town Hall but upon further inspection, no explosive was found. Consequently, the square has been reopened to the public, according to Rybanský.

On Sunday afternoon, an employee discovered a thermos bottle outside the entrance of the Spanish Synagogue. Bomb disposal experts were called to the scene once again to inspect the potential threat.

Located in the heart of Prague, Old Town Square is a highly popular tourist destination. Notably, the square is in close proximity to significant Jewish landmarks, which are currently under protective police surveillance as a precautionary measure.

Police across Europe, including in the Czech Republic, have been deploying forces at Jewish schools, places of worship, and historical sites in response to the recent attack on Israel by the Palestinian Hamas militant movement, according to The Guardian.