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Ten people, including the perpetrator, were reported dead after a shooting inside a secondary school in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city.
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Several others are injured, with local media reporting up to 30 people in need of medical assistance, some in serious condition.
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Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker said there were “no words for the pain and grief that all of us in Austria are feeling right now,” as he spoke of a “national tragedy.” He is expected at the site of the attack later today.
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The police confirmed the site has been secured with no further danger to the public, confirming the suspect was dead.
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Multiple European leaders expressed their solidarity with and condolences for the Austrian people.
A minute of silence will be held before Austria’s UEFA World Cup qualifier game versus San Marino tonight, with the players also expected to wear black armbands as a sign of respect.
This comes amid media reports that a three-day period of national mourning will be soon announced to mark the tragic events in Graz.
A government press conference is expected shortly, so we may hear more about it then.
Multiple European leaders have offered their condolences and expressions of solidarity with the Austrian people in the last hour, including prime ministers and presidents of Austria’s neighbours and other EU countries.
European Council president António Costa said:
Horrified by the news of the school shooting in Graz. A senseless act of violence in a place where children should feel safe and protected. My thoughts in this difficult moment are with the families and friends of the victims.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said:
Horrific news from Graz. Our thoughts are with our Austrian friends and neighbors and we mourn with them.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán said:
I would like to express my deepest condolences to Chancellor @_CStocker and the people of Austria following the tragic school shooting in Graz. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims!
Czech prime minister Petr Fiala said:
I was deeply shaken by the tragic news of the attack at the school in Graz. It is incredibly painful when something like this happens— especially in a place that is meant to symbolize safety. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected. My heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones.
Irish prime minister Micheál Martin said:
Shocked and appalled by the shooting in Graz today. Such a horrific act of violence at a school is unconscionable. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, the entire school community and the people of Austria.
Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said:
I am deeply shocked by the news of the shooting at the school in Graz. Schools should be beacons of learning and hope, where every child feels safe. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and those affected. I extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Austria.
Romanian president Nicușor Dan said:
My condolences President @vanderbellen after the shocking attack on a school in Graz, with so many students dead and wounded. My thoughts are with all the victims, their families and the people of Austria in these tragic moments.
At least 12 people have been hospitalised following the attack, according to a brief medical report released by the Styrian Hospital Association representing local hospitals.
It said that two adults and five teenages are treated at the Graz university hospital, with two in “very critical condition” and five with “serious injuries,” all of them undergoing emergency surgeries.
Austria’s national broadcaster ORF has reported that flags outside Federal Chancellery office in Vienna are being lowered to half-mast to pay tribute to the victims of the attack.
Graz mayor Elke Kahr appeared on Austria’s national broadcaster ORF a few moments ago.
She said it was a “terrible tragedy,” and urged the city’s residents to show solidarity and support the students affected by the attack. “This is the most important thing: not leaving anyone alone,” she said.
She said more information about the incident will be released at the press conference later today, 3pm local time (2pm BST).
The police have just confirmed ten dead, including the perpetrator, and “several more seriously injured”.
We are expecting a government press conference around 3pm local time (2pm BST).
A spokesperson for the Austrian Red Cross just told the public broadcaster ORF that there are over 160 people on duty at the scene, including emergency doctors, paramedics, and response vehicles, with 30 people yet to come from the surrounding area.
Two information centres have been set up to look after students from the school and the relatives of those affected by the attack.
Die Presse newspaper noted that the attack is likely to be the worst shooting in Austria’s history.
Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen also put out a statement, saying “this horror cannot be put into words.”
“What happened today in a school in Graz strikes our country at the heart.”
He added:
“These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their journey. There is nothing that can ease the pain felt by the parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends of the murdered people at this moment.
Austria mourns.”
He said that the country “stood together to withstand this pain, together” and would “show that our strength lies in this togetherness.”
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Ten people, including the perpetrator, were reported dead after a shooting inside a secondary school in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city.
-
Several others are injured, with local media reporting up to 30 people in need of medical assistance, some in serious condition.
-
Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker said there were “no words for the pain and grief that all of us in Austria are feeling right now,” as he spoke of a “national tragedy.” He is expected at the site of the attack later today.
-
The police confirmed the site has been secured with no further danger to the public, confirming the suspect was dead.
-
Multiple European leaders expressed their solidarity with and condolences for the Austrian people.
Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker has just posted a brief statement responding to the attack in Graz.
He said the shooting at the school in Graz was a “national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country,” calling it an “incomprehensible act” of violence.
“There are no words for the pain and grief that all of us in Austria are feeling right now,” he said.
He expressed his condolences with the families of those affected, and thanked emergency services for their reaction.
“Today it’s all about compassion. And about being there for one another. In these difficult times, humanity is our strongest force,” he said.
Other European leaders are now joining in sending their condolences to the people of Austria.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said her thoughts where with the victims, their families and friends, stressing:
Schools are symbols of youth, hope, and the future. It’s hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence. My thanks go to the emergency services and helpers during these difficult times.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed her solidarity with Austria.
The death toll has risen to ten, including the perpetrator, according to the latest update from Graz mayor Elke Kahr for the Austria Press Agency, APA.
EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also commented on the attack,
Here is what she said:
Deeply shocked by the news of the school shooting in Austria. Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Austrian people in this dark moment.
Foreign minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger is the first senior Austrian government figure to publicly respond to the attack.
In a post on X, she says the news “shocked her deeply,” calling it “incomprehensible and unbearable.”
“My sympathy and grief go out to the victims and their families. No one can imagine the suffering; as a mother of three children, it breaks my heart,” she added.
Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker is also on his way to Graz, with a press conference planned for this afternoon, the Kronen Zeitung newspaper reported.
