Czech Republic - Large-scale police operation: At least eleven dead and several injured after shots fired at Prague University
Ten people were killed and dozens injured in a shooting at a university in the center of Prague, a spokeswoman for the emergency services said on Thursday afternoon, according to the CTK agency. According to the CTK agency, the Czech police announced on Thursday afternoon that the shooter had been neutralized. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on public television CT that, according to his information, the suspected shooter was dead. This brings the number of dead to at least eleven.
According to initial information, the incident took place at the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University on Jan Palach Square. Humanities are taught there.
The police were on site with a large contingent, including special forces. Jan Palach Square is located just a few hundred meters from the famous Charles Bridge, the symbol of the city on the Vltava River.
Vyzýváme občany, aby se v blízkém okolí nezdržovali a nevycházeli z domu. Zásah policie stále pokračuje. pic.twitter.com/OHnSsq4G5f
— Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) December 21, 2023
Shots fired in Prague: students and staff are said to have barricaded themselves in lecture halls and offices
The police called on people to avoid the area as far as possible. Residents should not leave their homes. Photos showed students leaving the university building with their arms raised. According to a report by the Nova television station, the shooter was last seen on the roof of the faculty building. An explosion was also reportedly heard.
There was initially no further information on the suspected shooter or a possible motive. Students and staff at the university announced on social media that they had barricaded themselves in lecture halls and offices. The people were now to be taken out of the building one by one. The emergency services sent several ambulances, emergency doctors and a large ambulance to the scene.
Interior Minister: No evidence of second shooter
Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on public television CT in the late afternoon that there was no longer any danger to the public. According to his information, the suspected shooter is dead. There were no indications of a second shooter. Rakusan nevertheless called on the public to follow the instructions of the police. The minister had rushed to the scene after the crime.
Charles University was founded in 1348, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe. It has a total of around 49,500 students. Of these, around 8,000 study at the Faculty of Philosophy, which specializes in subjects such as German studies, Slavic studies and history.
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- The Czech police mentioned the possibility of a large-scale deployment to handle the aftermath of the incident at Karls University in Prague.
- Various news sources reported about the incident at Television Czech (CT), stating that it occurred during a large gathering at the university in Prague on Christmas Eve.
- Following the shooting at Charles University in Prague, several lectures and offices were sealed off by students as a precautionary measure, with the Czech Police assuring a peaceful Christmas celebration in the city.
- Despite the tragic incident, the Faculty of Philosophy at Karls University in Prague, known for its renowned programs in German studies, Slavic studies, and history, continued to attract students, maintaining its reputation as a leading academic institution in the Czech Republic.
Source: www.stern.de
