A horrific incident unfolded at Precko Elementary School in Zagreb, Croatia, on Friday morning when a 19-year-old former student entered the school and launched a knife attack. The assault resulted in the death of a 7-year-old girl and injuries to three other children and a teacher.
Authorities swiftly apprehended the attacker, who subsequently injured himself. According to Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic, the attacker had a history of mental health issues and a previous suicide attempt, raising questions about his mental state at the time of the attack. Bozinovic stated that police intervention prevented the attacker from taking his own life.
The scene at the school was chaotic, with children fleeing the building and a medical helicopter landing in the schoolyard. Video footage captured the frantic moments as students and staff sought safety. The injured were transported to various hospitals in Zagreb for treatment.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the community and the nation. President Zoran Milanovic expressed profound grief over the tragedy and called for national unity in ensuring the safety and security of schools. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed his dismay and stated that authorities are diligently working to determine the precise sequence of events leading up to the attack. Zagreb has declared Saturday a day of mourning.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in neighboring Serbia last May, where a school shooting claimed the lives of nine students and a security guard. While school attacks are uncommon in Croatia, this event underscores the importance of addressing mental health concerns and reinforcing school safety measures.
