A tragic knife attack in the Czech Republic has left two women dead after a 16-year-old boy launched a violent assault at a discount store in Hradec Kralove, approximately 100 kilometers east of Prague. The attack, which took place on Thursday morning, has left the nation in shock, with authorities still working to determine the teenager’s motive.
The incident occurred at an Action discount store shortly after it opened for business. The teenager, a Czech national, targeted a shop assistant at the counter before attacking another worker in a service area. Police were alerted to the scene around 07:30 GMT, arriving within minutes to arrest the suspect. However, despite the rapid response of medical teams, both victims succumbed to their injuries.
“When we arrived, we found two people stabbed,” said Anatolij Truhlar, head doctor of the local air rescue service. “Unfortunately, despite 40 minutes of resuscitation efforts, both persons died.”
Authorities have stated that there is no indication the attack was terror-related. The initial findings suggest the victims were randomly selected, but the exact reasons behind the teenager’s actions remain unknown.
Police spokeswoman Iva Kormosova confirmed the suspect had no known links to extremist groups or prior criminal records. As investigations continue, security forces have cordoned off the store and its surrounding areas, while a single candle placed outside the store served as a somber tribute to the victims.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, calling the murders “an incomprehensible, horrendous act.” The attack has reignited fears over public safety in the country, with residents voicing concerns about increasing violence.
“I think you’re not safe anywhere, given what’s going on around us,” a passer-by, Adela Ptackova, told AFP.
While the Czech Republic has largely remained free of violent crime in recent years, this incident comes just months after a mass shooting at Charles University in Prague, where a student killed 14 people in December 2023. Meanwhile, neighboring Austria is still reeling from the murder of a teenage girl in Villach last weekend, allegedly carried out by a Syrian asylum seeker.
As the investigation into Thursday’s stabbing continues, authorities are working to uncover the motive behind the attack while offering support to the victims’ families.
