1 Killed, 8 Injured in Croatian Elementary School Knife Attack
A knife attack at Prečko Elementary School in Zagreb, Croatia, on Friday morning has claimed the life of a seven-year-old girl and left eight others, including children and a teacher, critically injured.
The 19-year-old assailant, believed to be a former student of the school, entered a first-grade classroom and carried out the attack.
Chaos and Immediate Response
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with emergency responders rushing to the site. Helicopters were deployed to transport the injured to various hospitals across Zagreb.
Zagreb police confirmed that the attacker was apprehended and is in custody. “The injured persons are receiving medical treatment,” the police statement read.
Victims and Medical Updates
The injured include children and a teacher who sustained life-threatening injuries. The teacher is being treated at Sveti Duh Hospital and remains in critical condition.
Videos circulating on social media showed panic-stricken individuals fleeing the school premises, while the surrounding area was cordoned off by ambulances and police vehicles.
Reactions from Leaders
Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomasevic and Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic visited the scene to assess the situation.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed deep sorrow, stating, “The country is appalled by this heartbreaking incident.” He also confirmed that Health Minister Irena Hristic would visit hospitals to check on the injured.
Rare Incident in the Region
School attacks are extremely rare in Croatia and the wider Balkan region. This tragedy follows a similar incident in Serbia last year, where two mass shootings, including one at a school in Belgrade, shocked the region.
The Croatian community is reeling from the shock of this unprecedented attack, as investigations continue into the motives and circumstances surrounding the incident.
