Prague drilling rig accident causes major traffic disruption

A heavy transport vehicle carrying a Bauer BG 20 H drilling rig became wedged under a railway viaduct on Vídeňská Street in Prague. The accident occurred on Wednesday night, causing significant damage to both the cargo and the trailer, though no injuries were reported.

Initial recovery attempts by firefighters, including deflating the vehicle's tires, were unsuccessful. A specialized recovery tank from Správa železnic arrived on Thursday morning but suffered a mechanical failure. Consequently, emergency services have requested a backup recovery tank from Zbiroh to assist in the operation.

Recovery crews are currently attempting to clear space by dismantling parts of the bridge structure to free the stuck drilling head. The incident has caused major traffic disruptions, with Vídeňská Street remaining closed to traffic heading away from the city center. Public transport, including several bus lines, has been diverted, and police have established detour routes. Officials from Správa železnic, the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP), and structural engineers remain on-site to assess the stability of the bridge.