Brutal knife attack

Knife attack: Two dead at Slovakian school

A large-scale operation is currently underway at a Slovakian school (symbolic image).

(Bild: AFP)

Large-scale police operation in Slovakia: two people are said to have died after a knife attack at a school. An 18-year-old pupil is said to have attacked a teacher and classmates with a knife. The attacker was finally arrested in the town of Spiška Stará Ves.

At least two people were killed in an attack at a secondary school near the Polish border in north-eastern Slovakia. The attacker is said to have attacked a teacher and two classmates with a knife. According to the Slovakian broadcaster TA3, the chase was like something out of an action movie. The alleged perpetrator, an 18-year-old pupil, was subsequently caught and arrested. Nothing more is known about the motive of the alleged attacker.

Two women killed, several injured
As reported by TA3, two women aged 18 and 51 were killed in the brutal attack on the gym. According to preliminary police information, another student's life is in danger.

Another 18-year-old woman suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital in Poprad. A 51-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman suffering from an acute stress reaction were also treated at the scene. According to TA3, the exact number of injured has not yet been finalized.

Suspect is considered a model student
According to Slovak media reports, the assailant who attacked the grammar school in Spišská Stara Ves on Thursday was recognized as one of the best representatives of the students in the previous school year. He achieved success in regional competitions as well as in the Young European, Young Digital European, iBobor and German Olympiads. He was also active in sports and was a member of the school teams in soccer, basketball and floorball.

At this moment, I offer my condolences to the bereaved and wish the injured a speedy recovery. And I advise everyone to remain politically silent.

Premierminister Robert Fico ruft zur Zurückhaltung auf

Pellegrini focuses on peace and cohesion
Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini described the attack in Spiška Stará Ves as a real tragedy and expressed his condolences to the survivors. "No problem in the world can be solved with a knife or any other weapon. A peaceful and cultured solution to all disputes, without hatred and violence, must be the goal of the entire nation and the entire society," Pellegrini told the TA3 radio station.

The Slovakian Ministry of Education promised maximum support in dealing with the situation - including psychological help for pupils, teachers and school staff.