Five pupils and one teacher injured in mass stabbing at Portuguese school as police arrest '12-year-old suspect'

Portugal police

Police have arrested a 12-year-old suspect after five pupils and one teacher have been injured in a mass stabbing at a school in Portugal (stock image)

Wiki Commons images/ Dickelbers
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 17/09/2024

- 17:17

Updated: 17/09/2024

- 17:57

Police say it is not immediately clear what provoked the attack

Police have detained a 12-year-old suspect after at least five pupils and one teacher have been injured in a mass stabbing at a school in Portugal.

It is not immediately clear what provoked the attack in the town of Azambuja - located 31 miles northeast of Lisbon.


One girl has been taken to a hospital in a serious condition, a duty police officer has said.

The other victims are not thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

Portugal policePolice have arrested a 12-year-old suspect after five pupils and one teacher have been injured in a mass stabbing at a school in PortugalWiki Commons images/ Dickelbers

Azambuja Mayor Silvino Lucio told CNN Portugal: "He entered (the school) after lunch and started stabbing everyone he saw."

It has been reported that the schoolgirl rushed to Santa Maria Hospital in a serious condition suffered chest and head injuries.

Others have injuries to their arms and stomach.

An internal note suggests the situation was an isolated case.

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Officials have reportedly said the school will reopen as normal on Wednesday.

Lucio added: "There was no target, no objective.

"As the victims appeared, they were attacked."

The young suspect was initially restrained in a classroom.

Students at school

The other victims are not thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries (stock image)

PA

The 12-year-old remains in custody, according to Portuguese police.

The National Republican Guard said: "The young man is calm."

Emergency services received an alert at 2.33pm this afternoon.

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