A school in Ostroleka, northeastern Poland, was the scene of a knife attack on Wednesday (October 7), resulting in 10 people injured, including the suspect. Local officials stated that the police arrested a 19-year-old suspect shortly after the incident.
According to Reuters, the attack took place around 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
Mayor Pawel Niewiadomski informed reporters that a total of 9 individuals were taken to the hospital but none were in life-threatening condition.
“The injured include 5 students, 2 teachers, 2 bystanders, and the perpetrator who harmed himself,” he said.
Authorities revealed that the suspect was a student at the school who attacked others with a large knife. Police confirmed that bomb disposal experts are inspecting the attacker’s backpack but have not disclosed any findings yet.
The attack occurred at a vocational school catering to teenagers. Fire department spokesperson Adrian Stupski told the national news channel TVP Info that students locked themselves in classrooms for self-protection before later being evacuated.
Police stated that they apprehended the suspect approximately 20 minutes after the attack and released a photo on social media platform X showing a man believed to be the captured individual lying face down in a wooded area.
City hall spokesperson Katarzyna Ogniewska informed reporters that all schools in Ostroleka have been closed, ensuring the safety of the children.
The motive behind this attack remains unclear. Such incidents are rare in Poland, but in September, police arrested a 13-year-old suspected of plotting an attack and found a knife in his possession.