A deadly school shooting has occurred in the Austrian city of Graz, with several people confirmed dead, according to the country’s interior ministry.
The incident unfolded on Tuesday morning at a federal upper secondary school on Dreierschützengasse, located in the north-west of the city near the central train station.
Local media outlet Kronen Zeitung has reported that at least eight people may have been killed in the attack, although officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of fatalities. Students and teachers are believed to be among those killed or injured.
A spokesperson for the Austrian police told public broadcaster ORF that the suspected gunman is believed to have taken his own life following the attack. A major police operation is currently underway, with helicopters deployed to the scene and emergency services continuing to secure the area.
Injured students are reportedly being treated at the nearby Helmut List Hall, an events venue located close to the school. The scale of the casualties remains unclear as authorities work to account for those affected.
Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, lies approximately 200km south-west of Vienna. The tragic incident has shocked the nation, with the interior ministry expected to provide further updates as the situation develops.