Czech Republic mourns victims of deadly university shooting
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Church bells tolled, flags were lowered, and masses were held across the country on Saturday, including a moment of silence at noon.
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Mourners bring flowers and candles outside the building of the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in downtown Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023 (AP)
Church bells tolled, flags were lowered to half-mast, and masses were conducted throughout the Czech Republic on Saturday as the nation observed a day of mourning for the victims of a tragic shooting at Prague's Charles University.
A heavily armed 24-year-old student, who later took his own life, killed 14 people at the Faculty of Arts on Thursday. The lone gunman also injured 24 others, including three foreigners.
The incident prompted chaotic scenes as students fled from the assailant, some finding refuge on the roof and others resorting to jumping onto a balcony below. Some individuals clung to top-floor windows from ledges.
Read more: Over 15 killed in Prague University mass shooting, gunman 'eliminated'
A moment of silence for the victims, including three foreigners, brought daily life to a standstill across the EU and NATO member countries at noon (1100 GMT) on Saturday.
"We are all trying to build heaven on earth, but the reality of life shows us that evil exists," said Prague Archbishop Jan Graubner, celebrating a mass for the victims at the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.
Jan Jakub Ryba’s Czech Christmas Mass as a public singalong at Prague’s Main Train Station — a lovely seasonal tradition here pic.twitter.com/poSAyyxbK7
— Ian Willoughby (@Ian_Willoughby) December 23, 2023
Those present at the mass, including top politicians like President Petr Pavel, were reportedly emotional, with tears visible among the attendees, according to students.
"The life of each person in its uniqueness enriches and becomes a part of the lives of others, and its loss is therefore irreplaceable," Charles University rector Milena Kralickova said at the mass, her voice breaking.
The choir performing at the mass was conducted by David Eben, a musician and musicology teacher at the Faculty of Arts. Among the victims of the tragedy was Lenka Hlavkova, a mother of two, who served as the director of his department.
