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| At least 10 people killed in Austria school shooting | At least 10 people killed in Austria school shooting |
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| Mayor of Graz says presumed gunman among the dead as local media report as many as 30 people injured | Mayor of Graz says presumed gunman among the dead as local media report as many as 30 people injured |
| Austria school shooting – latest updates | Austria school shooting – latest updates |
| At least 10 people have been killed and several more seriously injured in a shooting at a secondary school in the southern Austrian city of Graz, authorities have said. | At least 10 people have been killed and several more seriously injured in a shooting at a secondary school in the southern Austrian city of Graz, authorities have said. |
| The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, said the presumed shooter, several students and another adult, thought to be a teacher, were among the fatalities in the attack, the deadliest in Austria’s postwar history. Local media reported that as many as 30 people had been injured. | The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, said the presumed shooter, several students and another adult, thought to be a teacher, were among the fatalities in the attack, the deadliest in Austria’s postwar history. Local media reported that as many as 30 people had been injured. |
| The gunman, reportedly a former pupil, opened fire in two classrooms at about 10am local time (0900 BST). Ninety minutes later police said there was “no further danger” after a major security operation involving special forces and police helicopters. | |
| Pupils and staff were evacuated from the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Graz and the building was being thoroughly searched, a police spokesperson said. Police confirmed that 10 people had died, including the perpetrator. | |
| Citing police sources, local media reported that the gunman was a 22-year-old former student of the school and was armed with two weapons, a pistol and a shotgun, both legally owned, one of which he turned on himself. | Citing police sources, local media reported that the gunman was a 22-year-old former student of the school and was armed with two weapons, a pistol and a shotgun, both legally owned, one of which he turned on himself. |
| Families were gathering at a nearby sports hall where crisis intervention teams were on hand. The area around the school was cordoned off and public transport was diverted, with all streets surrounding the school guarded by armed officers. | Families were gathering at a nearby sports hall where crisis intervention teams were on hand. The area around the school was cordoned off and public transport was diverted, with all streets surrounding the school guarded by armed officers. |
| A spokesperson for the Austrian Red Cross told the public broadcaster ORF that more than 160 responders were at the scene, including emergency doctors and paramedics. Two information points were available for the school’s students and relatives. | A spokesperson for the Austrian Red Cross told the public broadcaster ORF that more than 160 responders were at the scene, including emergency doctors and paramedics. Two information points were available for the school’s students and relatives. |
| Austria’s interior minister, Gerhard Karner, and the chancellor, Christian Stocker, were on their way to Graz. Stocker said the shooting was a “national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country” and was an “incomprehensible” act of violence. | |
| “There are no words for the pain and grief that all of us in Austria are feeling,” he said. “Today it’s all about compassion. And about being there for one another. In these difficult times, humanity is our strongest force.” | “There are no words for the pain and grief that all of us in Austria are feeling,” he said. “Today it’s all about compassion. And about being there for one another. In these difficult times, humanity is our strongest force.” |
| Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, said: “What happened today … strikes our country at the heart. These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their journey.” | Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, said: “What happened today … strikes our country at the heart. These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their journey.” |
| Nothing could ease the pain felt by “the parents, grandparents, siblings and friends of the murdered people at this moment”, he said, adding that the country “stood together to withstand this pain, together”. | Nothing could ease the pain felt by “the parents, grandparents, siblings and friends of the murdered people at this moment”, he said, adding that the country “stood together to withstand this pain, together”. |
| Austrians own an estimated 30 firearms for every 100 people, making the country one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe. | Austrians own an estimated 30 firearms for every 100 people, making the country one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe. |
| Machine guns and pump-action guns are banned, but revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons are allowed with official authorisation, and rifles and shotguns with a firearms licence, a valid hunting licence or for members of shooting clubs. | Machine guns and pump-action guns are banned, but revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons are allowed with official authorisation, and rifles and shotguns with a firearms licence, a valid hunting licence or for members of shooting clubs. |
| Mass shootings, however, are rare. In 2020, four people were killed and 22 injured in a gun attack by a convicted jihadist in Vienna. In November 1997, a 36-year-old mechanic shot dead six people in the town of Mauterndorf before killing himself. | Mass shootings, however, are rare. In 2020, four people were killed and 22 injured in a gun attack by a convicted jihadist in Vienna. In November 1997, a 36-year-old mechanic shot dead six people in the town of Mauterndorf before killing himself. |
| The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her condolences on Tuesday, saying schools were “symbols of youth, hope and the future”. “It’s hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence,” she added. | The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her condolences on Tuesday, saying schools were “symbols of youth, hope and the future”. “It’s hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence,” she added. |
| The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said she was “deeply shocked” and that “every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence”. Kahr, the Graz mayor, described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy”. | |
| The Vienna mayor, Michael Ludwig, posted on social media: “We must stand together as a society. Hate and violence must never gain the upper hand. Our response to this must be an even stronger commitment to solidarity and respect.” | The Vienna mayor, Michael Ludwig, posted on social media: “We must stand together as a society. Hate and violence must never gain the upper hand. Our response to this must be an even stronger commitment to solidarity and respect.” |