GRAZ, Austria — A devastating shooting at a high school in Graz has left eight people dead, including seven students and one adult. The suspected gunman is also among the deceased, according to city officials. Mayor Elke Kahr described the incident as a “terrible tragedy,” highlighting the profound impact on the community.

The shooting occurred at the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school on Tuesday morning. Police received reports of gunfire around 10 a.m. and quickly dispatched special forces to the scene. By 11:30 a.m., authorities confirmed that the school had been evacuated and that all individuals were relocated to a safe meeting point. The police stated that the situation was “secured” and that there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Emergency services responded in large numbers, with police vehicles and helicopters deployed to the area. Photos from the scene show a significant police presence surrounding the school, which is located approximately one kilometer from Graz’s historic center.

In the aftermath of the shooting, many individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident. The exact number of injured has not been disclosed.

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is en route to Graz to assess the situation. In a statement from Brussels, European Union spokesperson Paula Pinho expressed condolences, saying, “We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire city of Graz in Austria. And we stand together in mourning while we seek clarity in the wake of this horrible event in a school.”

Graz, the second-largest city in Austria with a population of around 300,000, is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event.