Knife Attack Shocks Azambuja School Community
On Tuesday, a shocking knife attack unfolded at a school in Azambuja, located approximately 50 kilometers from Lisbon, Portugal. A 12-year-old student stabbed six classmates, comprising five girls and one boy, aged between 11 and 14. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time, leaving one girl with severe injuries to her chest and head, although she is currently stable and receiving treatment at Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon.
Details of the Attack and Immediate Response
The attacker, who was also a seventh-grade student, reportedly returned to school after lunch wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a backpack. Upon reaching the classroom area, he began to indiscriminately stab his classmates. The attack was halted by a school assistant before further injuries could occur. The other victims sustained minor injuries, treated at Vila Franca de Xira hospital.
Local authorities, including Azambuja's mayor, Silvino Lúcio, confirmed that the assailant did not have a prior history of violence and came from a stable family background. The reasons behind this shocking act remain unclear, prompting an investigation by the judicial police to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
National Condemnation and Support for Victims
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, along with the Ministry of Education and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, condemned the attack as an “isolated incident” that is foreign to Portuguese society. Montenegro emphasized the need for reflection among those in public spaces regarding such violence. The school has assured parents and students that classes will resume as normal, with psychological support provided to help the community cope with the trauma of the event.
