Prague shooting:pho After killing fourteen people at Charles University in Prague, the gunman has died

 Officials say that the deadliest attack in contemporary Czech history occurred at a university in Prague, where a gunman shot and killed fourteen people and injured twenty-five more.

Photo source- The independent

The 24-year-old gunman was reportedly "eliminated" by the police after the shooting at Charles University in the capital's historic district.

During the attack, university employees were instructed to lock themselves in their rooms.

In light of the "tragic events" on Thursday, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced that he had canceled his next engagements.

The incident began at the university's Faculty of Arts building on Jan Palach Square at around 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT).

Later, dramatic video of some people leaping to safety from a building ledge several stories above surfaced on social media. Gunshots are audible during the video.

In another video, frightened people can be seen running from the tourist hotspot.

The nation's interior minister and police chief revealed at a briefing on Thursday night that the gunman had attended the faculty.

He was said to be from a village 13 miles (21 km) outside of Prague. Earlier on Thursday, the father of the suspect was discovered dead. It was unclear at first what the gunman's intentions were.

Photo source- X

The authorities stated that preliminary data indicated there were no injuries among the police officers involved in the attack.

The two fatalities that occurred last week in a forest close to Prague may have been caused by the gunman, according to the police, who said they were also investigating this theory.

A university professor named Sergei Medvedev told the BBC that he was present in one of the auditoriums when the shooting started.

"There were some noises while I was lecturing, so at first I wasn't quite sure what was going on. Because I was so focused on talking and giving my lecture, the students were able to hear it better," he said.

"Then, we realized that a significant event was taking place. Nothing was available online as of yet, nor was there anything in the Czech press or [news] networks. Then, at some point, the special operations teams barged in, quickly searched the room, and then left, ordering us to remain inside.

An additional police squad broke in an hour later, put us on the ground, gave us a quick search, and then had us leave the premises."

Hannah Mallicoat, a US visitor, told the BBC that she had been on Jan Palach Square with her family when the attack occurred.

"The first shot struck as a crowd of people were crossing the street. Before I heard the second shot and saw people running, I thought it was a firecracker or a car backfire," the woman remarked.

"I witnessed a bullet enter a store after striking the ground approximately 30 feet (9 meters) away on the opposite side of the square. Numerous police cars and ambulances were heading towards the university while the entire area was blocked off."

Students at the university claimed they had locked themselves in their classrooms.

As it happened, Charles University student Jakob Weizman posted on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, "Currently stuck inside my classroom in Prague."

"Locked the door before the shooter tried to open it."

The Reuters news agency obtained an email alerting faculty of arts staff to the shooting.

It said: "Stay put, don't go anywhere, if you're in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights."

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed her shock at the senseless violence.

Charles University, one of the oldest universities in Europe, was established in 1347 and is the biggest and oldest in the Czech Republic.