7-year-old student killed in knife attack in Croatia

By Dejan Maksimovic, Talha Ozturk

SARAJEVO, Bosnia Herzegovina (AA) — A seven-year-old primary school student died in a knife attack in Croatia on Friday that also resulted in the injury of a teacher and five classmates.

An unidentified assailant attacked the teacher and students with a knife early in the morning at Precko Primary School in the capital Zagreb, police said in a statement.

Health Minister Irena Hrstic told reporters that the seven-year-old child died at the scene of the attack, while the teacher and five other students were injured.

The injured were taken to hospitals, according to Hrstic, who added that the students were not in mortal danger.

Sveti Duh Clinic in Zagreb said that the teacher, however, was in serious condition.

The attacker, reported to have self-harmed with the sharp object, was taken under police custody.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy.

"We know that the injured are being treated in hospitals in Zagreb. We extend our condolences and best wishes to the families. Our relevant ministers will be following the incident closely," Plenkovic said.

Local media shared images of the scene, with children fleeing to the schoolyard after the attack and an ambulance helicopter landing in the school grounds.