At least nine people have died from a shooting inside a school in the city of Graz, in southern Austria, as confirmed by the Interior Ministry of the Central European country. The mayor of the municipality, Elke Kahr, (KPö, acronym in German of the Communist Party of Austria), has detailed that among the deceased there are seven students and an adult, to whom the author of the shots should be added. “It is a terrible tragedy,” Kahr said at the scene.
It is unknown if the aggressor took his life after the assault or died from police action, but the authorities have confirmed that the author of the shots has died. The school that has suffered the attack is the Secondary Education Center of Dreierschützengasse, in the district of Lend.
From 10.00, after receiving the first information of shooting, the Austrian Police and the special forces of the Cobra detachment carry out a great operation around the Institute.
The first information suggests that the shooter opened fire in the center and subsequently was injured, although the circumstances are still unknown. Police spokesman Fritz Grundnig reported that the aggressor was a student at the institute. At the moment he has not transcended his identity. In addition to fatalities, there are several injured between students and teachers.
Police have asked citizens not to approach the area. According to the APA agency, the agents already have the enclosure under control, which has been evicted, and do not foresee more “dangers.” The agents are still touring the entire institute. A care team in crisis situations and the Red Cross attends students, transferred to the Helmut List Convention Center, and parents of affected students.
Most political events on Tuesday have been canceled. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (from the Austrian Popular Party, ÖVP), is on the way to Graz. In addition to the special units, several helicopters have been deployed.
The mayor, who has come to the scene, has asked in statements to the media that classes are not resumed this week, but that students, teachers and parents can meet. “We must take time to process it,” said Kahr.
The Austrian Chancellor, the conservative Christian Stocker, has described the event as “national tragedy that deeply shocks the country”, reports the newspaper The standard. “This inconceivable act has suddenly torn young people from life ahead. There are no words for pain and the pain that all of us, all Austria, felt right now.”
This event takes place when fulfilled. Among the victims was a four -year -old boy. The author of the outrage had mental problems. Graz, in the province of Cíneia, with 300,000 inhabitants, is the second most populous city in Austria. Around 50,000 of its residents are students.
