Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced national mourning after the armed attack at the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University in Prague. The decision was reported by the local news outlet iDNES.cz.
Documents indicate that the head of government designated December 23 as a day of mourning for the victims of the shooting at the capital’s university, a move confirmed at an extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers. The arrangement reflects the solemn obligation officials place on the state during such tragedies, while citizens are not legally required to observe mourning—government bodies may lower flags and offer other forms of tribute as guidance rather than obligation (iDNES.cz).
The attack occurred on December 21 at the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University in Prague, when a student brought a firearm onto campus and opened fire on people nearby. The incident unfolded in a location known for its intellectual heritage and ongoing research, drawing swift responses from university leadership, emergency services, and national authorities (iDNES.cz).
Current official updates show that 39 individuals were wounded in the assault. Czech police chief Martin Vondrášek stated that 14 of the wounded could not be saved, underscoring the severity of the event and the ongoing efforts of medical teams to treat those injured. The situation prompted a large-scale security response and a review of campus safety measures across higher education institutions in the region (iDNES.cz).
Earlier reporting connected the Prague University shooting with a prior incident in Bryansk, highlighting concerns about how violence can influence students and campuses beyond national borders. Authorities have emphasized the importance of understanding the context of such attacks within broader discussions about public safety, mental health, and the protection of educational environments (iDNES.cz).
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the motives of the assailant and whether there were any indications that could have prevented the tragedy. The university community has been left to grapple with grief, resilience, and the challenge of resuming normal academic life while honoring those affected. In the days ahead, statements from government officials and university leaders will likely outline steps to support students, faculty, and staff, as well as measures to strengthen campus security and crisis response protocols (iDNES.cz).