- A seven-year-old girl was killed and a teacher and five other students injured in a knife attack at a school in the Croatian capital, police said.
- Police said the attacker, described as a “young male,” was taken into custody.
- State-run HRT television said the attackers entered the school, went straight to the first classroom they found, and attacked the children.
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) – A teenage boy with a knife entered a school in Croatia's capital Zagreb on Friday, killing a 7-year-old student and injuring three other children and a teacher, authorities said. announced.
The knife attack happened at 9:50 a.m. at Plecco Elementary School in the same-name neighborhood, authorities said. They described the assailant as a 19-year-old man and said he was taken into custody after inflicting injuries on himself.
Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bojinovic announced that one child was killed and three children and a teacher were injured.
New York tourist criticizes President Trump, 3 killed in random attack, stabbed to death in upscale area
Police have gained access to an elementary school where a seven-year-old girl was killed and a teacher and five other students injured in a knife attack in Zagreb, Croatia, on December 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ronald Gosic)
Interior Minister Davor Bojinovic said: “The attacker is a 19-year-old former pupil of the school who still lives nearby.” “Eventually he started hurting himself. Police prevented him from committing suicide.”
Mr Bojinovic said the attacker had previously had mental health problems and was already registered as having attempted suicide, adding: “It is difficult to say that this person was mentally balanced.”
Video footage released by Croatian media showed children fleeing the school building and a medical helicopter landing on the playground.
Zagreb authorities declared Saturday a public holiday or a period of mourning. President Zoran Milanovic said: “There are no words to express our sadness at the terrible and unthinkable tragedy that shocked us all today.” Mr Milanovic called for unity and efforts to ensure schools are safe and carefree places for children.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told a government meeting he was “appalled” by the attack and said authorities were still working to determine exactly what happened. Plenković said several children were taken to different hospitals in Zagreb.
State-run HRT television said the attackers entered the school, went straight to the first classroom they found, and attacked the children.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
School attacks are rare in Croatia. Last May, a teenager from neighboring Serbia opened fire on a school in the capital Belgrade, killing nine of his classmates and a school security guard.
