Czech Mountain Rescue Service Called Out More Than 500 Times Since Summer Holidays Began — Mostly in Šumava

Since the start of the summer holidays, the Czech Mountain Rescue Service has logged 505 callouts — 40 more than during the same period last year. The figures were shared by service spokesman Marek Frič.

Most incidents took place in Šumava, where rescuers were called out 109 times, accounting for a fifth of all cases. The Jeseníky, Jizera and Krušné hory (Ore Mountains) followed close behind in terms of callout numbers.

Cyclists needed help most often, with 180 such cases recorded. According to Frič, summer injuries traditionally occur most frequently in regions popular with cyclists — Šumava, the Jeseníky and the Ore Mountains — with most incidents linked to bike parks and extreme forms of cycling.

"We occasionally see specific injuries related to e-bikes — they're heavier by design, and older riders in particular struggle to dismount, which often leads to an uncontrolled fall," the spokesman explained.

Hikers came second, with rescuers assisting them in 140 cases. In regions with especially high hiking activity, such as the Krkonoše, the most common issues are musculoskeletal injuries and exhaustion.

Meanwhile, according to Josef Tischler, a mountain rescuer from Šumava, the number of people getting lost in the wilderness has dropped noticeably in recent years. "Search operations have become far less common. The classic scenario where we'd spend three to five hours searching for someone in the forest almost never happens anymore. People now have phones and maps, which has made things much easier," he said. Statistics show that since the holidays began, the Mountain Rescue Service has had to search for just three people.

Read also: 9 best cycling routes around Prague: from the Vltava embankments to Karlštejn Castle

Source: ct24.ceskatelevize.cz