Prague, 21 December 2023 (dpa/MIA) - A shooting at a university in central Prague has left several dead, dozens injured, and the shooter neutralized, police said on Thursday, according to the CTK news agency.

Exact figures were not yet available.

According to early reports, the incident took place at the philosophy faculty of Charles University on Jan Palach Square.

The police were on site in large numbers, including special forces. Jan Palach Square is located just a few hundred metres from the famous Charles Bridge, the symbol of the city on the Vltava River.

The police called on people to avoid the area if they could. Residents were told not to leave their homes.

Photos showed students leaving the university building with their arms raised.

According to a report by the Nova television station, the shooter was last seen on the roof of the faculty building. An explosion was also reportedly heard.

There was initially no further information on the suspected shooter or a possible motive.

Students and staff at the university wrote on social media that they had barricaded themselves in lecture theatres and offices during the shooting.

People were being taken out of the building one by one. Several ambulances and emergency doctors were on the scene.

Charles University was founded in 1348, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe. It has a total of around 49,500 students. Of these, around 8,000 study at Philosophy Department, which offers courses in German studies, Slavic studies and history.

Photo: EPA