UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK
By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) - A total of 11 people, including the shooter, were killed and nine others "seriously" injured in a shooting incident at a university in the Czech Republic’s capital Prague on Thursday, authorities said.
Prague rescue service said on X that the incident took place in the building of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, located on Jan Palach Square.
Nine people were "seriously" injured, while 16 others suffered moderate and minor injuries.
Earlier, police said the suspected shooter was "eliminated" and the entire building was being evacuated.
Following the deadly incident, the nation's President Petr Pavel decided to cut short his France trip, according to Radio Prague International.
Pavel will meet with state security forces, while Prime Minister Petr Fiala also canceled his work program in Olomouc and is heading to Prague.
The Czech government will reportedly hold an emergency meeting tonight.
Authorities urged citizens to stay away from the scene and remain indoors.
In videos circulated on social media, gunshots can be heard and a large police presence can be seen.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her "deepest condolences" following the incident.
"I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Czech people as a whole. We stand and mourn with you," she said on X.