Ten Dead in Austrian School Shooting

Ten people are dead following a suspected school shooting in the southeastern Austrian city of Graz on Tuesday, in what officials are calling one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country’s recent history. Among the deceased are several students, at least one adult, and the suspected shooter, according to Graz Mayor Elke Kahr, who confirmed the fatalities to the Austrian Press Agency (APA).

The shooting unfolded earlier in the day at a local school, prompting a massive police operation. Law enforcement authorities said on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that gunshots had been reported inside the building, triggering an emergency response.

“Currently, a police operation is underway... The reason for the deployment was that gunshots were heard in the building,” police posted. The building has since been secured, though details surrounding the motive and exact sequence of events remain unclear.

"The situation is very unclear at the moment," police sources told APA. Austrian police and interior ministry officials have not issued a detailed statement as of Tuesday evening, and they were not immediately reachable for comment by AFP.

The suspected shooter is believed to be among the ten fatalities, although authorities have not yet released any identities or indicated whether the shooter was a student, staff member, or outsider.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Austria and beyond. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed her condolences, calling the incident “deeply shocking.”

“Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence,” Kallas wrote on X.. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Austrian people in this dark moment.”

While school shootings are relatively rare in Europe compared to the United States, the continent has seen an increase in violent incidents at educational institutions over the past two years, often carried out by young men, and not connected to terrorism.

In recent memory, Europe has witnessed several deadly school attacks: in January 2025, an 18-year-old fatally stabbed a student and a teacher in northeastern Slovakia; in December 2024, a 19-year-old killed a seven-year-old child in a Croatian primary school; and in December 2023, a gunman killed 14 and injured 25 at a university in Prague. In May 2023, a 13-year-old opened fire in a Belgrade school, killing eight classmates and a security guard.

Austria, a country of about 9.2 million people, is typically regarded as one of the safest nations in the world. According to the Global Peace Index, it ranks among the top ten globally for safety and low crime rates.

Tuesday’s shooting has left the city of Graz and the wider nation grappling with shock and grief. Local officials have yet to confirm whether classes will resume this week, and support services are being mobilised for families and students affected by the tragedy.

More information is expected to emerge as police continue their investigation.