Police surround Prague university building after deadly shooting
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A gunman at a Prague university has killed 10 people and injured about 30 others before being “eliminated” by police, Czech emergency services say.
Czech police raced to a school shooting at Jan Palach Square shortly after 3pm, later reporting they had “eliminated” the killer.
“The entire building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and tens of injured at the site,” officers said on social media.
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”.
The philosophy department was evacuated, city mayor Bohuslav Svoboda said.
The square was sealed off and police urged people to leave the surrounding streets and stay inside.
Prague’s rescue service confirmed that 11 people had died, including the killer. It said about 30 others suffered various injuries, including nine with serious ones.
Students reportedly hid from the killer on an outside ledge of the university building.
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British couple trapped in restaurant amid shooting
A newlywed British couple have told of the moment a police officer ordered them to stay down during a mass shooting in central Prague.
Tom Leese, 34, a video producer, and his wife Rachael, 31, an account director, who are on honeymoon in the country, were having a drink in the Slivovitz Museum, close to where the shooting happened.
Mr Leese said: “A policeman came in and started shouting loudly in what I assume was Czech.
“I asked for it in English and he said there was an active shooter and to stay inside and stay down.
“The staff were very calm, turned all the lights off very quickly and urged us to stay calm. The restaurant was relatively quiet.
“The policeman left urgently and we stood in the corner of the restaurant.”
The couple, from Merstham in Surrey, were kept in the the museum for over an hour, hearing sirens outside.
Mr Leese added: “Rachael is still in shock.
“We were meant to be having dinner at the restaurant right by the building tonight and were going to pop in for a drink earlier on, but we crossed the bridge instead.
“With everyone else being so calm it didn’t seem real to me.
“We’ve been in touch with all of our families to let them know that we’re safe.
“We obviously can’t wait to get home now.”
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 16:25
In pictures: Emergency services at scene of mass shooting
Police officers in a van secure the area in Prague
(AP)
Police vehicles drive to the philosophy faculty
(AP)
A Police officer stands guard
(EPA)
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 16:22
Around 30 people wounded
The estimate of people wounded is now put at 30, according to police in Prague.
Eleven people, including the gunman, were killed.
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 16:12
In pictures: Armed police seal off scene
Armed officers were at the scene
(REUTERS)
Armed officer at the scene
(AP)
A police officer secures the area
(REUTERS)
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 16:07
Nine people badly wounded
Nine people were seriously wounded in the shooting, Prague rescue services say.
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 16:04
Ten people killed
Ten people were killed in the mass shooting, the Czech rescue service has said.
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 15:58
Prime minister cancels plans
Czech prime minister Petr Fiala has cancelled his scheduled events and says he is heading for Prague.
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 15:55
Watch: Police surround building after shooting
Police surround Prague university building after deadly shooting
Police sealed off part of Prague’s city centre on Thursday, 21 December, after several people were killed and injured in a shooting according to authorities. “The shooter has been eliminated. The entire building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens of injured”, Czech police said on social media. Footage showed police cars surrounding Jan Palach Square in the city centre, close to the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design. An email to staff at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, seen by Reuters, had told staff to “stay put” and said a shooter was in one of its buildings.
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 15:44
Students ‘hid on building ledge’
Students at Charles University in Prague are reported to have hidden from the gunman on the roof of the building. Video – which has not yet been confirmed – appears to show several people crouching on a ledge:
Jane Dalton21 December 2023 15:38