In the armed attack organised yesterday at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University (FFUK) in Jan Palach Square in Prague, the capital of Czechia, 15 people were killed and many others were injured. In a statement, the police said, "We are responding to the armed attack reported to have occurred in Jan Palach Square, where the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague is located. We can now confirm that there are more than 15 dead and dozens injured. At the moment we do not have any information that the perpetrator is linked to any terrorist organisation. We are still investigating the identities of the victims. However, the attacker has been neutralised."

NATIONAL MOURNING DECLARED

Czech Prime Minister Fiala stated that they declared national mourning after the attack and said, "I send my condolences to the families and survivors of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. We are all shocked by today's terrible event. To honour the memory of the victims of this attack, we declare December 23 as a day of national mourning. We also call on all citizens of the Czech Republic to honour the memory of the victims with a minute of silence at 12 noon on 23 December. In addition, the government has decided in its resolution to instruct the Minister of Justice to ensure maximum co-operation with victims and survivors in their claims for compensation under the law. Thank you for the expressions of support from all over the world. We appreciate them very much."

"THE ASSAILANT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TWO OTHER MURDERS"

Interior Minister Rakusan said yesterday that the possibility that the assailant had committed the murder of a woman and a child in Klanovice 2 days ago was being considered. "It seems that the police intervened in time to prevent today's massacre at FFUK from proceeding in a more tragic way. A large number of weapons and ammunition were seized in the faculty building. The police are working on the version that the attacker from FFUK was also responsible for the double murder in Klanovicke les. an attack that is just as difficult to predict as today's shooting attack on the faculty. This version seems very likely in view of what the police found at the attacker's house. The police will provide more information tomorrow morning."