Knife attack at Croatia school: Seven-year-old child dies, attacker detained

Croatia police detained an assailant who killed a seven-year-old child in a knife attack at Prečko Elementary school in Zagreb on Friday.

The incident occurred at approximately 9.50 am (local time) when the assailant entered the school and attacked a teacher and students in a classroom he first saw.

Croatian health minister Irena Hrstic confirmed that six people were injured, including the suspect, and one child died despite efforts to revive them. The deceased was a seven-year-old pupil. The other injured victims, including three children and the teacher, were hospitalised but are not in critical condition.

Croatian interior minister Davor Bozinovic stated that the 19-year-old attacker had a history of mental health issues and had previously attempted suicide. The suspect, who lived near the school, had no known direct grievances with the victims. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack.

The attack has shocked the Croatian public, with government officials expressing horror and grief. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic called the tragedy "unthinkable," and President Zoran Milanovic described the event as one that left the nation without words to express the grief.

Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević declared Saturday a day of mourning to honour the victims.

School attacks are rare in Croatia, though recent events in the Balkans have raised concerns. In July, a gunman killed six people at a nursing home in Daruvar, Croatia, and neighbouring Serbia experienced mass shootings, including a school massacre in Belgrade last year.