At least nine dead in Austria school shooting

At least nine people have been killed in a school shooting in the Austrian city of Graz, the country’s interior ministry has said.

The incident took place at Dreierschützengasse secondary school in the north-west of the city.

Police said the gunman was among the dead and Austria’s APA news agency has reported that seven of those killed were pupils.

A further 28 people are being treated for their injuries in hospital, according to local media reports.

The attack “strikes our country right at its heart”, the Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said.

“These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.”

Police said they began an operation at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) after gunshots were heard from inside the school.

A specialist Cobra tactical unit – which handles attacks and hostage situations – was deployed to the school, police said.

Authorities evacuated all pupils and teachers from the building. Police confirmed the school had been secured and there was no further danger posed to members of the public.

Local mayor Elke Kahr called the incident a “terrible tragedy”.

European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas said she was “deeply shocked” by the news. “Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence,” she posted on X.