School stabbing rampage by teen leaves 7-year-old dead and 7 others injured

Police described the attacker as a "young male" and said he had been detained.

Local media has reported that the 19-year-old was a former student at Precko Elementary School.

"We are horrified," Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told reporters, adding that some of the pupils have been hospitalised.

The teacher is said to have suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital after undergoing surgery, according to State broadcaster HRT.

Emergency crews, including paramedics and an air ambulance, rushed to Precko Elementary School in the country's capital.

Footage published by Croatian media showed children, aged just five to 11, running away from the school building.

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HRT said the attacker entered the school and went straight into the first classroom. where he found and attacked the children.

"We are shocked by this terrible event and express our sympathy to all the victims and their families," city officials said in a statement.

"This is a great tragedy for the City of Zagreb and for all of Croatia.

"The mayor and his deputies are at the scene. At this moment, the police are establishing all the circumstances, the perpetrator has been arrested.

"The city will help provide psychological assistance to students, parents and school employees."

Plenkovic added: "We also express our regret and sympathy to the families of the injured children at the Precko Elementary School."

Today's horrific attack is the first school murder in Croatia in 52 years.