Injuries from the fall of the Trojan footbridge will receive compensation by the end of January

Prague - People injured in the collapse of the Troja footbridge will receive compensation by the end of this January. Prague city councilors today approved a cooperation agreement with the insurance company Kooperativa aimed at providing the injured with financial aid before the police investigation concludes and the culprit is known. The agreement still needs to be signed by representatives of both parties. The footbridge collapsed on December 2, 2017, injuring four people, two of them seriously. Last year, the city provided each of the injured with 50,000 Czech korunas. The cause of the collapse is still unknown.

"The reason for presenting this proposal is the fact that although the footbridge collapsed in Troja in early December 2017 and resulted in serious injury to four individuals, aside from the donation that (the injured) received based on the decision of the former city leadership, they have not yet received any partial compensation," said councilor Hana Marvanová (STAN). According to her, it is not possible to wait for the end of the investigation.

The insurance company will pay out money in January to those affected who have provided all necessary documents. Those who have not yet done so can still submit them. The payment will be made from the insurance policy of the Technical Administration of Communications (TSK), which is responsible for roads and bridges in Prague.

The city is in contact with the affected individuals and their legal representatives, keeping them informed about planned actions. "The affected parties agree with this procedure; we have their written statement that both they and their legal representatives welcome this approach,” Marvanová said. The agreement between Prague and the insurance company does not obligate the injured parties to sign any documents.

Who is responsible for the footbridge's collapse two years ago is still unclear, as the police investigation has not yet been completed. This year, Prague plans to construct a temporary footbridge that will replace the original one along the same route and connect Pod Havránkou Street in Troja with Císařský Island across the river. It will serve pedestrians and cyclists, and can also be used by rescuers if necessary. Currently, a ferry operates at the site. In the future, Prague intends to announce an architectural competition for the final design of the footbridge, which is planned to be six to seven meters wide.