Local authorities organized a minute’s silence at noon this day nationwide, where churches tolled their bells and flags remained at half-mast on public buildings, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced.

The Government made the decision at an extraordinary session held on friday, in which ministers offered their deepest condolences to relatives of the victims, Radio Prague International reported.

“We are all shocked by this terrible act,” Fiala told reporters at a press conference after observing a minute’s silence.

“We need to find inner peace and reasonable solutions to prevent similar situations in the future and improve the system we have. We will work to identify possible problems,” Czech President Petr Pavel stressed.

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