Emergencies: Student dies after knife attack at Istanbul school

A student has died after a knife attack at a middle school in Istanbul. The Turkish Interior Ministry said on X that she succumbed to her injuries “despite all attempts” to save her. Seven other students are still being treated.

According to previous information from Governor Davut Gül, a student had “indiscriminately” stabbed students with a knife at the middle school that morning. The alleged attacker lived in the neighborhood and came to the school grounds dressed in a school uniform. She goes to another school herself.

The Interior Ministry has now announced that the suspect has been arrested and proceedings have been initiated. It did not provide any information about the age or possible motive of the alleged perpetrator.

The attack occurred in the morning at a school in the Kayabasi district, the state news agency Anadolu reported. Footage shared on social media showed ambulances in the schoolyard and students in panic. According to Gül's earlier statements, five students were slightly injured and should be released from the hospital today. The lives of two others are not in danger, but they are still being treated.

Violence at schools in Turkey has sparked increased public debate following a series of incidents this year. In April, a 14-year-old shot and killed nine of his classmates and a teacher. The shooter also died. The parents currently have to answer in court. At the start of the new school year, the government responded by tightening security precautions.