In the Czech Republic, the nation’s statistics service (CZSO) reported in a statement that energy and fuel costs have driven inflation to a 30 year high. In the last month, prices rose 18% year over year, increasing from August’s 17.2%.

Pavla Sediva, head of the Consumer Price Statistics Unit of CZSO said, “This acceleration was the most influenced by items in housing, mainly by prices of energy and fuels, which were higher by almost 50%, year-on-year.”

Consumer prices in retail stores soared by 1% on average, just in September according to the report. It also noted that the rise in basic foodstuffs over the current year has been consistently outstripping the overall inflation rate. Wheat flour was up 70% year over year, fats and oils were up over 50%, and milk and sugar were both also up by roughly 50%.

The country is beginning to see citizens react to the soaring costs. There was a massive rally at Prague’s Wenceslas Square on Saturday, as citizens protested the rising costs of living, falling living standards, and what they feel are the insufficient government efforts to address the crisis.

The entire EU is struggling amid an energy crisis being produced by the sudden removal of Russian energy products from the market, amid a raft of sanctions levied against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

Since Russia began its military operation in Ukraine in late February, prices for oil and natural gas have soared across Europe. Since then, gas and oil prices have hit record highs, driving massive inflation across the entire bloc.