NEW DELHI, Dec 21: A gunman killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens of others at a university in Prague on Thursday before the police “eliminated” him, authorities said.
The violence in the Czech Republic capital city’s historic centre sparked panic, a massive police response and warnings for people to stay indoors. The shooting happened at the Charles University’s Faculty of Arts, which sits near major tourist sites like the 14th-century Charles Bridge.
“At the moment I can say there are 11 dead people on the scene including the gunman,” emergency services spokeswoman Jana Postova said. “The building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens of wounded people on the scene,” police said on X.
Emergency services preliminarily reported nine serious injuries, at least five mid-serious and up to 10 light injuries. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said the gunman was “probably dead”, citing “preliminary information.” Prague’s emergency service said on X that “a large number of ambulance units” were deployed at the faculty. Rakusan said “no other gunman has been confirmed” and called on people to follow police instructions.
Police closed the area and asked people living nearby to stay at home. An email sent to staff and students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University had said a shooter was in one of its buildings and had told staff to “stay put.”
“Don’t go anywhere, if you’re in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights,” the email said. The police department said the square had been sealed off. It urged people also to leave the surrounding streets and stay inside. Prime Minister Petr Fiala cancelled his scheduled events outside the capital city and returned to Prague.
(Manas Dasgupta)