Prague mayor slams Blanka tunnel report as woefully inadequate

Prague mayor Pavel Bem has slammed a report on the partial collapse of the Blanka tunnel under construction in Prague as woefully inadequate and has urged the construction company Metrostav which submitted it to do better. Mr. Bem said that he could not take responsibility for the accident unless he had evidence to suggest that the city council had in some way shirked its duty. The city hall will not release the report to the public and has asked Metrostav to present a new one by next Tuesday.

According to press reports no cause has yet been given for the partial collapse, which left one worker buried under rubble near Prague Castle and a gaping hole on the premises of the Culture Ministry. The Blanka Tunnel has partially collapsed on two other occasions since it went under construction in 2007. When completed, it will be the longest municipal tunnel in Europe.