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The Philippine Embassy in Prague assured that six of the known Filipino students in Charles University are “safe” after the shooting that killed 14 people and injured 25 more last Thursday, Dec. 21.
(Photo from Czech Embassy in Manila)
“The Philippine Embassy in Prague wishes to inform the Filipino community in the Czech Republic and that it has contacted a representative of the six known Filipino students at the Charles University, and ascertained that all of them are safe, and everyone is monitoring the situation closely,” the statement read.
Citing reports from the Czech government authorities, the embassy said that the shooter was dead and the situation has been “contained.”
“The victims’ nationalities have not been publicly shared, and Prague police contacts have stated that they will inform the embassy should any relevant developments involving Filipinos occur,” the statement added.
The embassy asked all Filipinos in Czech Republic “to avoid the immediate area of the shooting incident, and to remain on alert” as it promised to issue “further updates” on the incident if necessary.
Considered to be the deadliest peacetime attack in the history of the Czech Republic, the Dec. 21 shooting in its oldest and largest university was also the first-ever school or college shooting in the country.
Reports said the shooter—a 24-year-old student at the university—died of suicide, but the police have not named him.
The embassy, in its statement, condoled with the Czech Republic.
“The Philippine Embassy joins Czech and international expressions of grief and dismay at this shocking incident during this holiday season,” it said.
The Czech Embassy in Manila also expressed its “deep sorrow” and “disbelief” as it sympathized with the families of the victims.
Czech Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Karel Hejč retweeted the embassy’s post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Unspeakable tragedy. It is hard to find the right words. My condolences to the families of the victims,” he captioned the post. — Raymund Antonio
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
