A shocking incident unfolded at an elementary school in Staškov, northwestern Slovakia, where a 13-year-old student allegedly stabbed a teacher to death and injured two others. The attack, which took place on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves through the small town located near the borders with the Czech Republic and Poland.

Authorities reported that the victim was a 61-year-old female teacher. Among the injured are a student who is currently in critical condition and another female teacher, aged 41, who sustained serious injuries. The police have confirmed that the suspect has been taken into custody and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

In response to the tragic event, President Peter Pellegrini expressed his deep sorrow, stating that he was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident” and extended condolences to the families affected. He emphasized that such violent occurrences serve as a serious warning to society, urging for greater calm and mutual respect among citizens.

Prime Minister Robert Fico also conveyed his sympathies to the victims' families. Following the incident, several high-ranking officials, including Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, Education Minister Tomáš Drucker, and Health Minister Kamil Šaško, visited Staškov to assess the situation and offer support.

This incident is part of a troubling trend of violence in Slovakian schools. In recent years, there have been several violent attacks, including a 2025 incident where an 18-year-old student fatally stabbed a 51-year-old deputy principal and another student at a high school in northern Slovakia. Additionally, in 2020, a former student attacked a high school in Vrutky, resulting in the deaths of the deputy principal and injuries to five others. Another attack occurred in 2022, where a high school student injured a female pupil in Novaky.

The community and authorities are now grappling with the aftermath of this latest tragedy, as discussions around school safety and mental health support gain urgency in Slovakia.