Latest news with #schooltragedy
News24
11 hours ago
- General
- News24
Pupils vow academic excellence to honour schoolmates who died in Eastern Cape floods
Thirteen schoolchildren were swept away in Eastern Cape floods last week, with only three surviving the ordeal. Eight bodies were recovered while two are still missing. On Thursday, Jumba Senior Secondary School pupils pledged to excel academically in tribute to their lost classmates. Grief-stricken pupils of a Mthatha high school in the Eastern Cape have vowed to honour their dead classmates through academic excellence. Ten pupils from Jumba Senior Secondary School died after their scholar transport was swept away when it tried to cross a flooded bridge last Tuesday. Three were rescued. The floods claimed at least 92 lives. On Thursday, the Eastern Cape government held a day of mourning for those who died in the devastating floods. Hundreds of mourners packed the King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College's hall for the sombre event. Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Ibenaye Mxoxozi said the past week had been difficult for them. 'We are heartbroken. The moment we get to school, we cry. It is difficult to cope with the loss of 10 pupils. They were classmates who had a bright future ahead of them. The only way to honour them is to excel academically,' a heartbroken Mxoxozi added. 'They went to school while it was raining. They did not stay at home due to bad weather, and for that, they will always be our heroes.' The ordeal was so traumatic for the three pupils who escaped the raging water that none attended the service. The Grade 11 pupils said they were comforted by the fact their pain was shared by many. 'Each of them brought light and joy to the school. We called them best friends. Their absence leaves a hole in our hearts. Even during this sorrow, we find strength in knowing that their short lives were full of meaning and purpose,' said Mxoxozi. Thobile Bhazana, the uncle of Grade 9 pupil Asithandile Nyameni, 15, said his niece's body was recovered on Saturday, four days after the incident. 'We are happy we were able to recover the body. The whole incident, traumatic as it is, brings us closure.' Bhazana added Asithandile dreamed of becoming a doctor. 'At home, we told her it was raining, but she said that she wanted to go to school because they were writing exams. She really loved her school and would joke that when she was a qualified doctor, she would bring an injection home to cure whoever was sick.' Anita Bali, who spoke on behalf of Bambanani Senior Primary, which lost eight pupils, said they were still traumatised. Two pupils are still missing. 'It's a tragedy that has shocked us. We are not coping at all, but we trust in the Lord that one day we will overcome our grief,' said Bali. Silindokuhle Qetsele, 23, from Slovo Park, added she lost four family members - her brother, sister-in-law, and their two children aged eight and 12. Qetsele said 12-year-old Amila Qetsele told her she wanted to be independent and have a family when she grew up. 'I don't know how long it will take to heal. I have been crying daily ever since the incident. It is difficult even to sleep at night,' she added. OR Tambo District Municipality Deputy Mayor Thandekile Sabisa said: 'It's the first time we are experiencing a tragedy of this nature. 'We stand here not just to grieve but to unite in deep sympathy with the victims. When one household mourns, we must all reach out in empathy.' Sabisa added.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Inside Austrian school massacre: Students rang parents to say they were going to die while others pretended they were dead as 'bullied' ex-student fired 'in a circle' in classrooms, slaughtering 10 people
A 'bullied' drop-out pupil turned an Austrian school into a bloodbath yesterday as he massacred ten innocents in a gun rampage. More than a dozen others were wounded as shots and screams rang out when the 21-year-old stormed into his old classroom blasting a shotgun and a pistol which he legally owned. In the country's worst mass school shooting, terror-stricken pupils pretended to be dead as they cowered in corridors and two classrooms or ran for their lives. Chilling video captured the sound of shots followed by screams as the gunman picked off his victims at the Dreierschuetzengasse high school in Austria's second largest city, Graz. Pupils and teachers were said to be among the dead. Six female and three male victims died quickly, with one adult said to be among them. The tenth victim, a woman, succumbed to her injuries in hospital last night. The former pupil – named locally as 'Artur A' – ended his deadly rampage when he turned a gun on himself in a toilet cubicle. Police later found a suicide note at his home nearby, which said he had 'felt bullied' at the school, according to Austria's Krone Zeitung newspaper, although authorities said only that he was an ex-pupil who had quit before completing his studies. It was also reported that a 'farewell video' was discovered, adding to the idea that Artur A may have meticulously planned his atrocity. Detectives are scouring data on his mobile phone and computers to build a picture of his recent movements and search for clues as to his motivation. Austria was plunged into a state of shock, with Chancellor Christian Stocker flying to Graz and declaring a 'dark day in the history of our country' as he announced three days of national mourning. More than 300 police and special forces descended on the school after 'screams and gunshots' were heard by emergency service workers during frantic calls at 10am local time. Armed Cobra police commandos charged into the four-storey building as part of an emergency response that included 65 ambulances, at least two air ambulances and 158 paramedics. Terrified pupils filmed themselves as gunshots rang out, and later as they fled down corridors as armed officers helped evacuate them from the 400-pupil school. Two schoolgirls were shown clinging on to each other as they ran from the school building. One teacher described being barricaded inside a classroom with pupils as they heard the gunshots. A distressing video showed victims lined up on stretchers outside of the school while dozens of paramedics tended to them. Some were covered by white sheets. Helicopter ambulances airlifted the most severely injured straight to Graz Regional Hospital. Desperate parents raced to the school as word of the massacre spread, with police reuniting them with evacuated survivors at a local hall. One father told how his son had survived by pretending to be dead. The man, named as Farag, told television channel Puls 24: 'Out of fear, he lay down to pretend that he was killed so that he wouldn't be targeted any more.' He added: 'Who did this? What kind of problem did he have?' One mother said: 'My son called me to say he was in school and that he was being shot at, and that he thinks he is going to die. I've only found out now, two hours later, that he's still alive.' Metin Ozden, who was in his kebab restaurant near the school, said: 'I've never seen so many emergency services in my entire life.' He said parents passing his restaurant were crying as they rushed to the school. Police commander Franz Ruff said 'at least' a dozen people had been injured in addition to those killed. Krone Zeitung newspaper previously reported that 28 people were taken to hospital, with at least two of them in an 'extremely critical condition'. Seven required emergency surgery. Some victims had reportedly been shot in the head. The numbers have not been officially verified. Police confirmed the killer had legally owned the weapons, with the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper reporting he had purchased one of the guns just days ago. Attacks in public are rare in the nation of almost 9.2 million people, which ranks among the ten safest countries in the world, according to the Global Peace Index. Last night the country's Chancellor said: 'A school... is a space of trust, of security, of the future. The fact that this safe space was shattered by such an act of violence leaves us speechless.' Austria's foreign minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said: 'As a mother of three children, my heart is breaking.' The local state governor Mario Kunasek said 'the green heart of Austria is crying', while president Alexander van der Bellen said: 'This horror cannot be captured in words.' Leaders from across Europe sent their condolences including Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky who said he was 'deeply saddened'. French education minister Elisabeth Borne said that one of those who died was a 'young fellow citizen' of France. At a news conference earlier in the day, Austria's interior minister Gerhard Karner refused to be drawn on 'speculation' in the case, saying it was the job of the criminal office to investigate. Police did confirm the killer was not 'known' to authorities before the attack. Last night Graz Cathedral held a service of reflection and the city's main square became a 'sea of lights' as candles were lit for the victims. In a nearby parish church, prayers were said for victims including one called Leo. 'We are lighting a light for Leo,' said Father Pesendorfer, who was in tears. Today, a nationwide minute's silence will be held at 10am local time. Flags on the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, where the president has his office, will fly at half mast. Yesterday afternoon long queues formed outside a blood donation centre in Graz. Johanna, 30, said: 'I'm here because I wanted to do something. I felt helpless.' Austria has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, with roughly 370,000 Austrians legally owning 1.5 million registered firearms, according to the interior ministry. Wild hunting is popular in the country and more than half of Austria's registered firearms fall under the category of weapons that can be owned by any adult without a licence.
The Herald
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Mpumalanga matric pupil fatally stabbed, six youths arrested
A grade 12 pupil was stabbed to death while walking home from school on Tuesday afternoon. Mcedisi Christopher Nhlapho, 19, was with friends when they were accosted by a group of boys in Tjakastad, near Elukwatini, police spokesperson Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane said. One of the boys stabbed Nhlapho. 'A 15-year-old suspect was arrested shortly after the incident, and additional arrests followed on Wednesday, bringing the total number of suspects to six. 'Four of the suspects, who are minors, have been referred to a probation officer for assessment. The remaining two suspects, aged 18 and 19, are expected to appear at the Chief Albert Luthuli magistrate's court on Thursday.' Acting provincial police commissioner Maj-Gen Zeph Mkhwanazi expressed his concern. 'Learners should be focused on their studies, not violence. We urge parents, schools and communities to work together to address the root causes of youth violence.' TimesLIVE
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Chislehurst school pays tribute to 'much-loved' student who died after falling unwell
A secondary school in Chislehurst has paid tribute to their 'much-loved' student who died after a medical incident. The 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital after falling unwell at the school in Hawkwood Lane on May 13. He was pronounced dead shortly after. Full story: Hawkwood Lane Chislehurst school incident: Boy dies The boy's death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious at this time. In a statement, headteacher Claire Bessa told the Mirror: 'It is with deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of one of our pupils following a medical emergency on 13th May. 'Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the pupil's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. 'We are in close contact with the family and are supporting them in every way we can. 'Specialist support is being made available to anyone who needs it as we support our pupils, staff and the wider school community in coming to terms with this devastating news. 'We kindly ask that the privacy of the family and school community is respected, as we grieve the loss of a much-loved member of our school family. 'The appropriate authorities have been informed. No further comment will be made at this time.' A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: 'On Tuesday, 13 May at 1.25pm police were called by the London Ambulance Service to a school in Bromley, where a 15-year-old boy was suffering a medical emergency. 'London's Air Ambulance transported the boy to hospital where he has sadly now died. 'The boy's death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious at this time. 'His family and the school are being supported by officers. A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: 'We were called at 1.20pm yesterday (13 May) to reports of a person unwell in Hawkwood Lane, Chislehurst. 'We sent two ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer to the scene. "We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance. 'The first paramedic arrived in less than five minutes. 'We treated a teenager at the scene and took him to hospital by road as a priority.'
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Boy, 15, dies after falling unwell at school and being rushed to hospital
A TEENAGE boy has died after falling unwell at a secondary school. Emergency crews rushed to Coopers school in Chislehurst, south east London, at around 1.30pm on Tuesday after the 15-year-old became sick. He was rushed to hospital but was tragically pronounced dead shortly after. The schoolboy's death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious at this time, says Metropolitan Police. A spokesperson for the force said: "On Tuesday, 13 May at 1.25pm police were called by the London Ambulance Service to a school in Bromley, where a 15-year-old boy was suffering a medical emergency. "London's Air Ambulance transported the boy to hospital where he has sadly now died. "The boy's death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious at this time. "His family and the school are being supported by officers." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
