Around 10 people have been killed in a shooting at an adult education centre in Orebro, Sweden, in what has been described as the deadliest attack in the country's history, police confirmed. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called it a "painful day" for the nation.
The gunman is believed to be among the dead, and authorities are continuing to search the school for other possible victims, local police chief Roberto Eid Forest stated at a press conference. The perpetrator's motive remains unclear.
"We know that around 10 people have lost their lives today. The exact number is yet to be determined due to the scale of the incident," Forest as saying.
Police believe the shooter acted alone and currently do not suspect terrorism as a motive, though investigations are ongoing. "It is still too early to say more about the perpetrator. The operation is ongoing, and we are working intensively to gather more details," Forest added.
Authorities have launched an investigation into murder, arson, and aggravated weapons offences.
The attack occurred at Risbergska School, an institution in Orebro, approximately 200 km (125 miles) west of Stockholm, which provides education for adults who did not complete formal schooling or need to improve their grades for higher education. The campus also includes schools for children.
"This is a deeply painful day for all of Sweden," Prime Minister Kristersson said on X. "My thoughts are with those whose ordinary school day turned into a moment of terror. No one should have to endure the horror of being trapped in a classroom, fearing for their life."
A teacher at the school told Reuters that someone barged into the classroom after lunch break and shouted for everyone to get out.
"I took all my 15 students out into the hallway, and we started running," she told Reuters by phone. "Then I heard two shots but we made it out. We were close to the school entrance."
"I saw people dragging injured people out, first one, then another. I realised it was very serious," she said.
Source: India Today