Teenager detained after two killed in knife attack in shop in Czech Republic

The incident happened at a shopping centre in Hradec Kralove (Josef Costarek/CTK via AP)

Two women died in a knife attack at a shopping centre in the Czech Republic, officials have said.

Police said they detained a teenage suspect in connection with the stabbings in a store in the city of Hradec Kralove, some 100km (62 miles) east of Prague.

Reports initially said the victims had been injured, one of them seriously, but police later said both had died. They were not identified.

A 16-year-old Czech national was detained by police about one kilometre (0.6 miles) from the scene, shortly after the attack. A knife was found nearby.

Police and ambulances attended the scene at the shopping centre in Hradec Kralove (Josef Costarek/CTK via AP)

Prime Minister Petr Fiala offered his condolences to the relatives of the dead.

“What has happened in Hradec Kralove today is an absolutely incomprehensible and horrible act,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The motive for the attack was not immediately known.

Police said the situation was under control and there was no danger to the public. No other details were immediately available.