Prague police hunt youth after metro joyride causes mass disruption

Prague police are asking for the public’s help to identify a boy whose dangerous stunt on the city’s transport network forced Metro C (red) line trains to stop for 40 minutes between Kačerov and Háje late last month. The incident, which happened Aug. 26 around 5 p.m., caused a ripple effect of delays on the line.

Police say that the person first climbed between two metro carriages at Kačerov metro station. Holding on, he rode until Roztyly station, then—as shown by the video—moved to the front of the first carriage and held on until next station, Chodov. There, he escapes and sprint up the escalator before fleeing the station.

The video footage also shows two other men who may have been involved. Police have stated that one approached the train driver before departure, possibly to distract him, while another recorded the stunt on a mobile phone at Chodov station. Authorities believe these men are key witnesses and are urging them, or anyone who knows them, to come forward.

The incident caused significant delays on the line, leaving passengers stranded and creating ripple effects across the city’s transport network. The Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) also reported financial losses due to the stoppage.

It’s likely that thousands of daily commuters were impacted, making any extended closure a major disruption for both local residents and those traveling across the city for work or school.

“This is a completely incomprehensible gamble with [the man’s] own life, where his actions could have even more serious consequences at the moment of the fall,” police spokeswoman Eva Kropáčová said in a statement.

“If you recognize the man captured on camera, or have information about a pair of men who most likely knew the wanted person and are important witnesses for us, please pass the information on to line 158,” Kropáčová said.

Police are investigating the case as a possible disorderly conduct offense. If convicted, the perpetrator could face penalties, including fines or criminal charges.

In late October last year, two Czech youth tragically died while undertaking the “subway surfing” online trend on top of a train in Austria.