A 19-year-old student has been detained after authorities say he attacked people at and near a vocational school in Poland, leaving nine victims injured and triggering a major emergency response.
The attack happened Wednesday morning at Vocational School Complex No. 4 in Ostrołęka, a city northeast of Warsaw.
Initial police reports said seven people had been injured, but authorities later said nine victims were hurt, including five students, two teachers and two bystanders.
The suspect was also injured, bringing the total number of people hurt to 10.
Police said the 19-year-old, who attends the school, allegedly attacked people with a sharp object before fleeing the building.
He was detained roughly 20 minutes later near a wooded area by the river.
Authorities said all nine victims were taken to hospitals for treatment. One person was seriously injured and was airlifted for medical care, but officials said none of the victims’ injuries were believed to be life-threatening.
Students inside the school reportedly barricaded themselves in classrooms as the attack unfolded before the building was evacuated.
Police psychologists were later sent to help students and staff affected by the incident.
Investigators also turned their attention to a backpack the suspect allegedly left behind at the school.
According to local reports, smoke began coming from the bag, prompting students to throw it out of a window.
Bomb disposal officers were called to examine the backpack, and authorities later said a potentially dangerous homemade device had been discovered inside.
Investigators were still working to determine exactly what the device was and whether it was intended to be used during the attack.
The suspect was reportedly injured during the incident and was taken to a hospital after being detained.
Officials have not announced a motive.
Ostrołęka Mayor Paweł Niewiadomski said the situation had been brought under control and that authorities were continuing to establish exactly what happened.
Schools across the city were temporarily closed following the attack as a precaution.
The incident has drawn significant attention in Poland, where large-scale attacks at schools are relatively uncommon.
Authorities have not yet announced formal charges against the suspect, and the investigation remains active.
Police and prosecutors are now working to determine the sequence of events, examine the suspected weapon and backpack, and establish what may have led to the attack.
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