Austrian school shooting: 10 people including suspect killed - Here's what we know

Ten people including the suspect are dead after a school shooting in the Austrian city of Graz, Austrian news agency APA reported on Tuesday, citing Mayor Elke Kahr.

Citing local police, Austrian state media ORF said several people had been seriously injured, including students and teachers.

Earlier in the day the stated media had also said that the suspected perpetrator, reportedly a pupil, is believed to have killed himself, reported Reuters.

Shooting a ‘national tragedy’

Reacting to the incident, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, in a statement said the shooting was a “national tragedy” and offered his condolences to the families who have lost their children.

"The rampage at a school in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country," Stocker said in his statement.

Suspect had 2 weapons; found dead in the bathroom

Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper cited unconfirmed reports as saying the suspect was a 22-year-old former student who carried two weapons - a pistol and a shotgun. Kronen Zeitung tabloid said the suspect had been found dead in a bathroom, as per Reuters.

Special forces rushed, helicopter deployed

Special forces rushed to the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school following an emergency call at 10am. An hour later, police said on social network X that the deployment was still ongoing and that it involved a helicopter, reported The Associated Press.

‘No further danger’

Speaking to Austrian television, the local police spokesman said the area had been secured, with the school evacuated. He also added that the relatives of the victims and pupils were being cared for.

“There is no further danger for the population, but there are several dead,” the police spokesman said.

Austria has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with an estimated 30 firearms per 100 persons, according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas took to X to share his condolences: "Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Austrian people in this dark moment."