A seven-year-old pupil died and four others were wounded after a knife-wielding teenager stormed a primary school in Zagreb on Friday morning in a shocking attack that has rocked the Croatian capital.
The attacker, a 19-year-old former student with a history of mental health issues, burst into the school and stabbed a teacher and several pupils before fleeing to a nearby health centre.
Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said: "He ran away from the crime site and shut himself in a nearby health centre where he tried to injure himself with the knife. The police stopped him from committing suicide."
Health Minister Irena Hrstic confirmed five people were hospitalised following the attack, including the suspect. "Five persons have been hospitalised and their lives are not in danger," she told reporters.
Police revealed the attacker had previously attempted suicide last year and had been receiving treatment for psychological problems.
A shaken Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic spoke briefly to reporters, saying: "We are horrified."
Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević declared Friday a Day of Mourning as the community grapples with the tragedy.
The suspect remains in custody as police continue their investigation into the deadly assault.
