Tragic Knife Attack at Zagreb School: 7-Year-Old Girl Killed, Multiple Injured

On December 20, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded at Precko Primary School in Zagreb, Croatia, resulting in the death of a 7-year-old girl and leaving at least five other students and a teacher injured in a vicious knife attack. The attack occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. local time, prompting immediate response from law enforcement and medical personnel.

The injured included a teacher who sustained life-threatening injuries, as reported by the local hospital. Authorities described the attacker as a ‘young male’ and confirmed his detention shortly after the incident. Further investigations revealed that the assailant was a 19-year-old former student of the school, causing shock and disbelief within the community. Awful footage emerged, showing children fleeing the school building and a medical helicopter landing in the vicinity, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Government Response

In the wake of the attack, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed his horror and condemnation, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the incident. The Prime Minister confirmed that several injured children were transported to various hospitals in Zagreb for urgent medical attention.

Attack Details

Reports suggest that the attacker targeted the first classroom he encountered upon entering the school premises, launching an unprovoked attack on the students and their teacher. This brazen act of violence has sent shockwaves throughout Croatia, a nation where such school attacks are exceedingly rare.

International Context

This heartbreaking incident resonates with similar events across the region, with a stark reminder of a school shooting that occurred in neighbouring Serbia, where a teenager opened fire at a school in Belgrade in May 2023, resulting in the tragic loss of nine fellow students and a school guard. Such occurrences underline the pressing need for concerted efforts to enhance security measures in educational institutions and to address the underlying factors contributing to violence in schools.