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Sword attack at Swedish school injures at least two
🇩🇪 Germany /Conflict & Security

Sword attack at Swedish school injures at least two

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A sword attack occurred at a school in Fagersta, Sweden, shortly after the summer holidays, injuring at least two people.
  • The suspected perpetrator, reportedly a man, is in police custody, and authorities have stated there is no ongoing public danger.
  • The incident has prompted reactions from top Swedish government officials, including the Prime Minister, who are monitoring the situation closely.

A sword attack at a school in Fagersta, Sweden, has sent shockwaves through the community just as students returned from summer break. At least two people were seriously injured in the incident, which occurred on a weekday afternoon. The suspected attacker, described as a man by media reports, is now in police custody. Authorities have indicated that the public is no longer in danger, though a full assessment of the victims' injuries was still pending.

We have admitted two seriously injured people.

— Jonas CederbergHealth director of the Västmanland region, speaking to Swedish broadcaster SVT about the number of injured.

Eyewitness accounts from students painted a harrowing picture of the event. One student described seeing the attacker stab a classmate in the arm, recounting the victim's desperate pleas for help. "His whole arm was full of blood, he said: Call the police! Call the police!" the student told Swedish television. Panic ensued, with students running and expressing feelings of fear and sadness.

His whole arm was full of blood, he said: Call the police! Call the police!

— Unnamed studentDescribing the scene to Swedish television.

The attack triggered a significant emergency response, with multiple ambulances and a police helicopter at the scene. Police conducted searches of the school building, interviewed witnesses, and began a technical investigation, also looking for potential camera footage. Students who remained in the building were reportedly not allowed to leave for hours, while anxious parents gathered outside, some in tears.

I do not feel safe.

— Unnamed studentExpressing their feelings after the attack.

Swedish leaders reacted swiftly to the news. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson acknowledged that the motive was unknown but stated the police were working intensely. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer confirmed the government was in close contact with law enforcement. Opposition leader Magdalena Andersson expressed her condolences, stating, "Terrible news from Fagersta. My thoughts are with the affected and everyone who is touched by this." She added that all of Sweden stood with Fagersta during this difficult time.

We do not yet know what is behind the act, but we know that the police are working very intensely.

— Ulf KristerssonSwedish Prime Minister, in an SMS to SVT.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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