Published December 21. 2024 06:53AM
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — A 7-year-old girl died and a teacher and five other students were wounded in a knife attack at a school in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, on Friday, police said.
They said the attack occurred at 9:50 a.m. at the Precko Elementary School in the neighborhood of the same name. They described the attacker as a “young male” and said he had been detained.
Health Minister Irena Hristic said the attacker was over 18, with media reporting that he was 19.
Video footage published by Croatian media showed children running from the school building and a medical helicopter landing in the schoolyard.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at the start of the government session that he was “appalled” by the attack and that authorities are still working to determine exactly what happened. Plenkovic said several children had 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 neighboring Serbia opened fire at a school in the capital Belgrade, killing nine fellow students and a school guard.
Police secure access to the elementary school where a 7-year-old girl died and a teacher and five other students were wounded in a knife attack Friday in Zagreb, Croatia AP PHOTO/RONALD GORSIC