A 19-year-old assailant, reportedly a former student, entered a first-grade classroom at Prečko Elementary School early on Friday morning, where he attacked the teacher and several children with a knife, as reported by CNN affiliate N1.
The victim who lost her life was identified as a 7-year-old girl, according to the Associated Press.
Helicopters have been transporting the injured to various hospitals throughout the city. The teacher has suffered life-altering injuries and is currently in critical condition, as stated by Sveti Duh Hospital.
“The assailant is in police custody. Those injured are receiving medical care,” announced the Zagreb police.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as ambulances hurried to the school and individuals evacuated the premises. Videos circulating on social media depicted numerous people fleeing from a building adjacent to the school’s sports fields.
Various officials, including Mayor Tomislav Tomasevic and Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic, have arrived at the scene, according to N1.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed the nation’s shock at the “tragedy,” stating that Health Minister Irena Hristic will visit the hospitals treating the injured.
Incidents of school violence are uncommon in Croatia and the Balkan region. Last year, Serbia experienced two mass shootings within a span of two days, the first of which occurred at a school in the capital, Belgrade.
