Prague 10 prosecutors take over Šumava chemical contamination case

The Prague 10 District State Prosecutor's Office has taken over the investigation into environmental contamination in the Šumava region, specifically within a former military area in Zhůří. The investigation follows a criminal complaint filed on September 30 by Environment Minister Igor Červený.

Police are investigating potential offenses including public endangerment through negligence and damage to the environment through negligence. Authorities are also looking into whether official duties were neglected. The investigation aims to determine how the contamination occurred and whether past negligence led to the current ecological burden.

The site contains approximately 1,000 tons of contaminated soil and 200 barrels of hazardous chemicals. The military has conducted engineering and chemical surveys to facilitate the isolation of the area and prevent further soil penetration. Remediation costs are estimated to exceed 150 million CZK, with the cleanup process expected to continue through June 2028.