A schoolgirl injured in Tuesday’s knife attack at a primary school in Staškov, northern Slovakia, has died in hospital. She is the second victim of the attack, after a 61-year-old teacher died at the scene. Another teacher, aged 44, remains in hospital and is out of life-threatening danger.
The girl’s death was announced in Parliament on Thursday, where MPs observed a minute of silence in her memory. President Peter Pellegrini and government ministers expressed condolences to the girl’s family and said the tragedy should serve as a reminder to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, a 20-member crisis intervention team is working with pupils, teachers and parents in Staškov. Around 100 of the school’s 260 pupils came to the school voluntarily on Thursday for psychological support. Experts say many children are in a very difficult psychological state, while additional help is also available from the civic organisation IPčko.
Police have detained a 13-year-old eighth-grade pupil suspected of carrying out the attack. He is currently being held in a psychiatric detention facility, while investigators continue to examine the circumstances and possible motive. Several witnesses have been questioned and experts have been brought into the investigation. Police have also searched the scene and the suspect’s home, saying they will provide more information when the investigation allows.
Source: TASR
