logo
Major police operation launched after reports of shooting at school in Austria

Major police operation launched after reports of shooting at school in Austria

Metroa day ago

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Multiple people are dead after a gunman opened fire in an Austrian school in Graz.
Police have said several units, and a Cobra special unit, have been deployed to the scene at the Federal Upper Secondary School in Dreierschützengasse, roughly 120 miles south of Vienna.
The number of fatalities has not been confirmed, but local media have reported that five are dead.
Gunshots were reportedly heard inside the building around 10 am.
Initial reports have claimed the perpetrator was shot and killed, but the situation is still developing.
Graz is Austria's second-largest city, after Vienna. It's the capital of the Austria n state of Styria.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Eurovision winner JJ leads calls for Israel to be banned from song contest
MORE: Eurovision Song Contest 2025 winner revealed as UK gets annihilated in public vote

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Austria school shooting: Vigil held in Graz for victims of 'national tragedy'
Austria school shooting: Vigil held in Graz for victims of 'national tragedy'

ITV News

timean hour ago

  • ITV News

Austria school shooting: Vigil held in Graz for victims of 'national tragedy'

Three days of national mourning are being held in the Austrian city of Graz following a deadly shooting at a secondary school, as ITV News Correspondent Geraint Vincent reports Hundreds of people gathered at a vigil in the Austrian city of Graz on Tuesday to mourn the ten people killed in a shooting at a local school. People lit candles in Graz's main square as part of what Austria's Chancellor, Christian Stocker, designated as three days of national mourning. A minute of silence is expected to be observed on Wednesday morning throughout Austria. Ten people were killed at a school in Graz, Austria's second-largest city, after a former student opened fire on Tuesday, in one of the worst rampages in the country's history. Officials said the victims included children between 14 and 18 years old and at least one teacher. Around 12 others were wounded, some of them seriously. The suspect, who police believe acted alone, also died. Authorities say the assailant was a 21-year-old Austrian man who had two weapons, which he appeared to have owned legally. Police said they didn't immediately have information on the man's motive, but said that he killed himself in a toilet after fatally shooting ten people. Graz's Mayor Elke Kahr described the shooting at the Bundesoberstufenrealgymnasium Dreierschützengasse school in the northwest of the city as a 'terrible tragedy". Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who travelled to Graz following the incident, said the shooting 'is a national tragedy that deeply shocks our whole country". 'There are no words for the pain and grief that all of us — the whole of Austria — feel now,' he wrote in a statement posted on X. President Alexander Van der Bellen said: "This horror cannot be captured in words. 'These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them; a teacher who accompanied them on their way." In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: 'Schools are symbols for youth, hope and the future. 'It is hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence.' In Austria, ownership of a weapons license allows a person to purchase and own firearms, as well as carry them if they fall into category B. Category B firearms are handguns, repeating shotguns and semi-automatic firearms that are not considered 'war material' or prohibited. To gain a weapons license, a person is required to be at least 21 years old, a citizen of the EEA (European Economic Area) and be able to prove why they need to carry a Category B firearm. They must also undergo a psychological report, confirming that the applicant will not handle the weapon carelessly, and must hold proof of proper handling of firearms.

Thousands attend candle-lit vigil for Austrian school shooting victims in Graz
Thousands attend candle-lit vigil for Austrian school shooting victims in Graz

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

Thousands attend candle-lit vigil for Austrian school shooting victims in Graz

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Austrians held a candlelight vigil to mourn the country's deadliest mass shooting, which left eleven people dead. The country is reeling after yesterday, a former student of Borg Dreirschutzengasse Secondary School in Graz opened fire as students were taking exams. Eleven people have died so far from the shooting, with seven females and three males confirmed among the dead – the shooter killed himself in the bathroom. Yesterday evening, residents of Austria's second-largest city gathered in sombre silence to reflect. Thousands cried, prayed and stood watch over dozens of lit candles in the main town square. Attendee Felix Platzer told Reuters: 'When you hear about it, you have so much sympathy for the people, maybe you could have known someone. 'This is an example of solidarity, and you grieve together. Together it is easier to cope.' In a press conference after the shooting, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said the country would enter three days of mourning, with the flag flown at half mast. 'That such a safe space was hit by such a violent act leaves us speechless,' he said. ''Today is about empathy. It's about cohesion, that we are there together for each other in a difficult hour.' Mario Kunasek, governor of Styria, said: 'Styria is mourning today, the green heart is crying. This is an unimaginable tragedy that happened this morning. 'This is so unfathomable. The lives of so many have changed dramatically today.' The shooter has been named as a 21-year-old man from Graz. Initial investigations have found he owned the guns legally. The suspect has not yet been named. More Trending Investigators found a farewell letter at the home of the suspected gunman, Austrian newspaper Krone has reported. Police reportedly raided his property yesterday afternoon and found the note, the contents of which are unknown. The suspect was a former student at the school and didn't finish his education there. He killed himself after committing the mass shooting. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Three gunmen on the loose in Philadelphia after two shot dead in mass shooting MORE: At least 11 injured after gunman opens fire during boat party MORE: Eurovision winner JJ leads calls for Israel to be banned from song contest

Two houses destroyed and man injured in gas explosion
Two houses destroyed and man injured in gas explosion

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

Two houses destroyed and man injured in gas explosion

A man has been sent to hospital after a huge suspected gas explosion last night. The huge blast rocked Eden Street in Derby yesterday evening and caused major damage to two homes. Incredible drone pictures show roof tiles and bricks scattered, windows smashed, and several rooms at the rear of both properties exposed to the elements . One man was injured, but the extent of his injuries is not yet known, Derbyshire Police said. A police cordon is in place in Eden Street, London Road and Shardlow Road and officers are asking people to avoid the area. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Girl, nine, and father killed in West Yorkshire house fire while sister, 11, fights for life MORE: Mum wants to change the law after ex killed her dog in house fire MORE: Urgent recall for thousands of chainsaws after 20 fire and burn incidents

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store