A tragic incident unfolded at Precko Elementary School in Zagreb, Croatia, on Friday morning. A 19-year-old former student entered the school armed with a knife, resulting in the death of a 7-year-old girl and injuries to three other children and their teacher.
The attack occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. on the final day of school before the Christmas break. The assailant, who still resided near the school, also inflicted self-harm before being stopped by the police from taking his own life.
Authorities revealed that the attacker had a history of mental health issues and had previously attempted suicide, raising concerns about his mental state. School violence is uncommon in Croatia and the Balkan region, with a similar tragic incident occurring in neighboring Serbia in May 2023.
Distressing video footage captured children fleeing the school premises, with emergency services swiftly responding to the scene. In response to the tragedy, Croatia declared a day of mourning on Saturday and scaled back some Christmas celebrations. Presidential candidates paused their campaigns as a mark of respect for the victims.
President Zoran Milanovic expressed profound sorrow over the senseless act of violence and called for national unity to ensure the safety and well-being of students in educational institutions. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic condemned the attack and emphasized ongoing efforts to ascertain the full details of the incident.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this heartbreaking event, the focus remains on supporting the affected families and enhancing security measures in schools to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
