By A 12-year-old boy allegedly stabbed six of his classmates at an elementary school near Lisbon on Thursday, leaving one girl fighting for her life, Portuguese authorities reported.
The incident occurred at Azambuja Elementary School, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Lisbon. According to local police, the suspect entered the school wearing a bulletproof vest before carrying out the attack.
A 12-year-old girl sustained severe injuries to her head and chest and was rushed to Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon in critical condition. The other five victims were taken to Vila Franca de Xira hospital with wounds to their arms and stomach. A police officer stated that apart from the critically injured student, the others did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
Azambuja Mayor Silvino Lucio told CNN Portugal that the incident unfolded around 2:00 p.m. local time when the suspect returned to school after lunch. “He entered the school after lunch and started stabbing everyone he saw,” Lucio said.
According to local media reports, the suspect allegedly used a knife from the school cafeteria to carry out the attack. A staff member was reportedly instrumental in restraining the boy, who was later detained in a classroom.
One parent, who was at the school to pick up her 10-year-old child, described scenes of panic, with many children crying and some covered in blood.
Emergency services, including six ambulances, the Azambuja Fire Department, and the National Institute for Medical Emergency (INEM), responded swiftly to the scene.
Due to his age, the suspect has not been formally arrested but remains in police custody. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack, and an investigation is ongoing.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro condemned the incident on social media, calling for a “full and speedy recovery” for the injured students. The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation issued a statement expressing strong condemnation of any act of violence in schools and confirmed that it is monitoring the situation closely.
The incident has sparked discussions about school safety and mental health support for students in Portugal. Local education officials announced that counseling services would be made available to students and staff affected by the event.
As the community grapples with the shock of the incident, school administrators and local authorities are reviewing security measures to prevent future occurrences.
Credit: the-sun.com
