A student in Zagreb, the Croatian capital, injured his teacher and several other students in a knife attack at his school, police said Friday. According to the police, the attack happened at 9:50 am at a school in the Precko neighbourhood. Describing the attacker as a “young male”, the police said that he had been detained. However, the police have not confirmed the media report which claims the death of one student. The video footage published by Croatian media showed children running away from the school building.
Attacker had mental health problems: Croatian Minister
Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said three children, a teacher and the attacker himself have been injured while one child died. “The attacker is a 19-year-old who is a former student of that school and still lives nearby,” said Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic. “Eventually he started injuring himself. Police prevented him from committing suicide.”
Bozinovic said the attacker was registered as previously having mental health problems and had already tried to kill himself: “It is hard to say this person was mentally balanced.” Video footage released by Croatian media showed children running away from the school building and a medical helicopter landing in the schoolyard.
Authorities declare Saturday a day of mourning
Authorities in Zagreb declared Saturday a day of mourning. President Zoran Milanovic said, “there are no words to describe the grief over the horrible and unthinkable tragedy that shocked us all today.” MIlanovic called for unity and an effort to ensure that schools are safe and careless places for children.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at the government session that he is “appalled” by the attack and that authorities are still working to determine exactly what happened. Plenkovic said several children have been taken to various hospitals in Zagreb.
State HRT television said the attacker entered the school and went straight into the first classroom he found and attacked the children. School attacks are rare in Croatia. Last May, a teenager in neighbouring Serbia opened fire at a school in the capital Belgrade, killing nine fellow students and a school guard.
(With agency inputs)
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