Knife attack at Zagreb school leaves 7-year-old dead, several injured

A 7-year-old girl was killed and a teacher and five other students were injured in a knife attack at a school in the Croatian capital Zagreb on Friday, authorities said.

The attack happened at 9:50 am at the Prečko Elementary School in the neighbourhood of the same name.

Health Minister Irena Hristić said the attacker, who has since been apprehended, was a young male over 18, while media reported he was 19.

The attacker, who wore an all-black outfit, first physically assaulted a boy in the school corridor and then entered a random classroom where he committed the knife attack, according to media reports.

The injured children have been evacuated to various hospitals in Zagreb. The teacher is in critical condition. The attacker attempted to commit suicide at a nearby emergency room, where he fled following the attack. He was prevented by the police, who apprehended him.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said at the start of the government session that he is "appalled" by the attack and that authorities are still working to determine exactly what happened. Plenković said several children have been taken to various hospitals in Zagreb.

School attacks are rare in Croatia. Last May, a teenager in neighbouring Serbia opened fire at a school in the capital Belgrade, killing nine fellow students and a school guard.