In a tragic development, the shooting at the University of Prague on December 21 has resulted in ten fatalities and a growing number of injuries. Reports indicate that nine people are seriously injured, and there are fears that the number of victims could rise.
“The numbers may still change,” they warned on the social network X, counting eleven “serious” injuries, eight “moderate” injuries, and five “light” injuries. “We have already evacuated the entire building and a pyrotechnic inspection is currently underway,” the police specified in the late afternoon, after having reported that the shooter had been “eliminated.”
Tragic Outcome
- Incident Date: Thursday, December 21.
- Fatalities Reported: Ten deaths confirmed.
- Injuries: Nine seriously injured, with the possibility of more.
Ongoing Investigations
- Evacuation: The university building has been fully evacuated.
- Police Action: Detailed investigations are underway, including pyrotechnic inspections.
Government’s Confirmation
- Interior Minister’s Statement: Vit Rakusan confirmed no additional perpetrators involved.
- Focus on Lone Gunman: The attention is on the single individual responsible for the shooting.
National Response
- Presidential Condolences: Czech President Petr Pavel extended condolences to victims’ families.
- Prime Minister’s Actions: Petr Fiala canceled his engagements to manage the crisis.
Local Impact
- Mayor’s Reaction: Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda expressed deep sadness, calling it an unprecedented tragedy.
- City’s Mourning: Reflects the impact on Prague and the nation.
International Solidarity
- Global Leaders: French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen showed solidarity.
- Global Concerns: Highlighted issues of public safety and gun violence.
Forward Look
- Public Security Focus: The incident underscores the need for effective public security measures.
- Czech Republic’s Challenge: The nation is coping with the aftermath and looking for ways to prevent future incidents.
As the Czech Republic deals with this dark moment, the incident draws global attention to the urgent need for effective public security measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.