Ten persons were killed by a young man carrying two guns at a secondary school in Graz, Austria on Tuesday.
Several teachers and students were wounded in the attack which began just before 10:00 a.m. local time. Among the deceased are at least seven students, one adult staff member, and the alleged perpetrator, who is believed to have died by suicide.
Police confirmed the suspect was a former student of the school, though the motive behind the assault remains unknown.
The school has since been secured by police, and Austria’s elite Cobra tactical unit was swiftly deployed to the scene. Emergency medical teams transported at least 30 people to hospitals, several in critical condition. Hospitals in the region were placed on disaster alert due to the scale of the casualties.
At a somber press conference, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker described the attack as a “dark day in our country’s history” and a “national tragedy.” “Schools must be safe spaces,” he emphasized. “In these difficult hours, being human is our strongest point.” President Alexander Van der Bellen echoed the sentiment, saying the horror was “beyond words.”
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner joined the chancellor in addressing the nation. The ministers vowed to investigate all aspects of the tragedy, including how the suspect acquired the firearm. Reports suggest the weapon used may have been legally obtained, as Austria’s gun laws, though regulated, are comparatively more liberal than in many other EU countries.
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Under Austrian law, rifles and shotguns can be owned by citizens over 18, while handguns require a license and a declared purpose, such as sport shooting or self-defense. Austria ranks 14th globally in civilian gun ownership, with around 30 firearms per 100 people.
The school, located near Graz’s central train station, is now under police guard, and grief counselors have been dispatched to assist students, teachers, and families.
European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, offered condolences. “Schools are symbols of youth, hope, and the future,” von der Leyen said. “It is difficult to bear when they become places of death and violence.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also extended sympathy, noting that he was “deeply saddened” and that his “thoughts are with everyone affected and the people of Austria.”
While the country mourns, questions swirl over how a former student was able to commit such a heinous act in a space meant for learning and growth. Investigations are ongoing, with officials urging calm and pledging transparency in the days ahead.
BBC
