A part of the Blanka Tunnel on Prague’s ring road collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday. The CZK 21.2bn (USD 1bn) 5.5km tunnel was under construction when the collapse occurred. The cause of the collapse, which buried an excavator driver along with his machine, is yet to be determined. A full investigation is underway.
Prague firefighters’ spokeswoman Pavlina Adamcova told Czech national press that rescue workers had managed to extricate the buried man. He had no obvious injuries but remains in hospital. No other injuries were reported from the accident.
Czech national media reported that in one place, the cave-in caused a 15m crater. Local residents have complained about the construction in the past. Some say that parts of facades have fallen off. In 2008 the ground fell through in the Stromovka public park, creating a 20m crater, during construction.
T&T tried contacting the tunnel’s contractor Metrostav, but without response.
The Blanka tunnel is to be a part of the Prague northwest ring road system. It will be over 6300m long.
