Tuesday's unusual act of violence at a school, in which a 12-year-old boy stabbed and injured six other students, shook Portugal.
According to the Portuguese National Police, the victims of the incident at the school in Azamboja, close to Lisbon, ranged from 11 to 14.
The mayor of Azambuja, Silvino Lucio, stated that although a young man suffered significant injuries from a chest wound, his life is not in danger. The young man was sent to a hospital in Lisbon.
The mayor reported that five girls had minor arm injuries. The police said that the attacker is in custody. The motive for the attack was not immediately revealed.
In a message shared on the X social media platform, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro condemned the attack and wished a speedy recovery to the injured young men. Referring to it as an “isolated attack”, he said it was incredibly rare in his country.
In an article in Portuguese, Montenegro noted, “It was an isolated act and a strange occurrence in Portuguese society, but one that should make everyone who works in the public sphere reflect with a sense of responsibility.”
