Gunman kills at least 15 people and wounds 30 others at Prague university

In a tragic incident at a Prague university on Thursday, a gunman killed at least 15 people and wounded 30 others before being “eliminated,” according to information from police and Prague emergency services. This incident stands as the worst-ever mass shooting in the country.

The horrifying event unfolded in the philosophy department building of Charles University, where the assailant, identified as a student, carried out the attack. Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek provided details, although the gunman’s name has not been disclosed publicly.

Police gave no details about the victims or a possible motive for the shooting at the building located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Pavel Nedoma, the director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, said he saw from a window a person standing on a balcony of the building and shooting a gun.

Police said they were still searching the area, including the balcony, for possible explosives. The building was evacuated, Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda said.

The building forms part of the square and faces a bridge across the river with a view of Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech presidency. President Petr Pavel said he was “shocked” by what happened and offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims.

Police sealed off the square and the area adjacent to the building, located in a busy part of town with a popular street leading tourists to Old Town Square.

Czech TV live broadcast showed several ambulances and police cars with flashing lights lined up alongside the building accompanied by the sound of sirens.

One witness told news website iDnes.cz that they got off at the tram stop by the school and “suddenly I heard shooting”.

With inputs from agencies.