Czech Republic: Children's squabble in České Budějovice becomes tussle between adults

On Friday, 21 June some children got into a wrestling match at the Máj housing estate in České Budějovice. Adults then joined the skirmish and two people ended up in hospital with abrasions.

Police are now reviewing CCTV footage and seeking eyewitnesses in order to determine what exactly happened. Patrols in the area have also been reinforced.

The skirmish took place on Friday evening. Everything began with a squabble between children. "First the children were scuffling on the playground, then about five women assaulted one another, and then three men got involved in the incident," South Bohemian Regional Police spokesperson Jiří Matzner said.

The incident attracted roughly 100 onlookers from the surrounding buildings. According to a police statement, a children’s shoving match on the playground prompted a verbal exchange between the women present which then escalated into them assaulting one another. Police officers were on the scene within several minutes. Since verbal clashes were breaking out between some of the onlookers as well, roughly 10 police vehicles intervened at the scene.

The officers managed to calm the situation. Several people sought medical treatment and several ambulances also intervened at the scene.

Some of the 100 people at the scene were verbally assaulting one another with vulgar insults. Most of the people there, however, had just come to see what was going on.

The woman who reported the assault suffered facial injuries. Her boyfriend also suffered abrasions and contusions during the scuffle. The woman spent the night in the hospital and was released on Saturday before noon.

Police are investigating the case as one of rioting. "We are sifting through the CCTV footage and also looking for other possible eyewitnesses to the assault or the initial conflict between the children and the women. We ask anyone who saw it to contact the police at telephone number 974 226 720," Matzner said.