A 12-year-old girl injured in a school knife attack in northern Slovakia has died in the hospital, bringing the death toll of the incident to two. The eighth-grade student carried out the attack on Tuesday morning at the beginning of the school day in Staskov, targeting schoolmates and teachers with a knife.
Fatal Stabbing at Staskov School
The attack began Tuesday morning as classes were starting at the local educational facility in Staskov. A 13-year-old male student attacked teachers and fellow pupils with a sharp weapon. A 61-year-old female teacher lost her life at the scene, while the 12-year-old girl sustained critical injuries.
Emergency responders deployed two ambulance units and two medical helicopters to the grounds. Medics transported the wounded girl in critical condition via helicopter to the hospital in Martin, where she underwent surgery but succumbed to her injuries on Thursday. A 44-year-old pedagogue suffered a stab wound to the chest and is out of danger.
Authorities detain 13-year-old suspect at scene
Slovak authorities detained the 13-year-old suspect at the scene immediately following the violence. The boy is currently under observation at an isolation facility specializing in mental health issues. Police officials stated that the motive behind the assault remains under investigation, and no further details regarding the perpetrator’s background have been released.
Slovak leaders address tragedy after school attacks
High-ranking Slovak officials addressed the tragedy following the incident. President Peter Pellegrini described the event as a warning to society as a whole, emphasizing that the social climate is a shared responsibility. Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that schools must remain safe spaces, noting that society has no future otherwise.
Police statistics cited by the TASR news agency indicate that six attacks involving students or former students have occurred in Slovak primary and secondary schools over the past six years. The prior fatal incident in an educational institution took place in January, when an 18-year-old student at a high school in Spisska Nova Ves killed the school’s female director and a female student in a knife attack.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Staskov School Attack
What medical facilities treated the victims of the Staskov knife attack?
Medics transported the 44-year-old teacher with a chest wound to the hospital in Zilina, while the 12-year-old girl was flown to the hospital in Martin in critical condition.
Where is the teenage suspect currently being held?
The 13-year-old suspect was detained at the scene by police and placed in an isolation facility specializing in mental health issues for observation.
How many people were killed in the Slovakia school attack?
Two people have died: a 61-year-old female teacher who died at the scene and a 12-year-old girl who died in the hospital on Thursday following surgery.
Keep reading