(ANSA-AFP) - PRAGUE, DEC 23 - Flags on public buildings flew
at half mast Saturday and masses were scheduled across the Czech
Republic for a day of national mourning after a deadly shooting
at Prague's Charles University -- the worst in the country in
decades. A 24-year-old student opened fire at the Faculty of
Arts on Thursday, killing 13 people and then himself. Another
person died in hospital later on. The gunfire sparked frantic
scenes of students running from the attack. The government asked
Czechs to observe a minute's silence at noon (1100 GMT) on
Saturday and bells were due to ring on churches across the EU
and NATO member country. "It is hard to find the words to
express condemnation on the one hand and, on the other, the pain
and sorrow that our entire society is feeling in these days
before Christmas," said Prime Minister Petr Fiala. Tearful
students have lit thousands of candles at makeshift memorials at
the Faculty of Arts and the university headquarters near by. The
school, families and friends have also started to publish the
names of the victims, students and teachers alike. (ANSA-AFP).
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