8 students, 1 security guard killed as boy allegedly opens fire at Serbia school: Ministry

BELGRADE, Serbia

At least eight students and a security guard were killed when a teenage boy allegedly opened fire in a school in the Serbian capital Belgrade, authorities said on Wednesday.

Another six students and a female teacher were injured in the incident that took place at Vladislav Ribnikar Primary School at around 8.40 a.m. local time (0640GMT), according to the Interior Ministry.

The 14-year-old suspect, identified only by the initials K.K., has been arrested, the ministry said.

Police closed a large number of areas and the streets around the school for security reasons.

All the injured people are admitted to the emergency center of the University Clinical Center of Serbia.

Milika Asanin, the director of the University Clinical Center of Serbia, said one student, who received gunshot wounds to his chest and neck, is undergoing surgery.

The 53-year-old teacher sustained gunshot wounds to her stomach and both hands, Asanin added.

The children who witnessed the tragedy told local media that they locked themselves in the classrooms after hearing the gunshots.

In a joint news conference with Health Minister Danica Grujicic and an Interior Ministry official, Education Minister Branko Ruzic said that the country will observe three days of mourning on May 5-7 and that the classes will begin on Thursday with a minute of silence.