"All of Austria is Mourning": Press Conference After Attack in Graz School

Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) spoke of a national tragedy and an "incomprehensible act." Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen stated that the "horror" is "beyond words." Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) said that all of Austria is in mourning. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) was deeply shocked, as were the leaders of FPÖ and the Greens.

"The rampage at a school in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country. Through this incomprehensible act, young people were suddenly torn from their lives, which they still had ahead of them. There are no words for the pain and the grief that we all - all of Austria - are feeling right now," said Stocker on Tuesday in a written statement in the early afternoon.

Chancellor and Interior Minister on the Way to Graz

According to his spokesperson, Chancellor Stocker is on his way to Graz, where a press conference is planned at the state police headquarters after 3:00 PM. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) will also participate, as stated by his office to the APA. Styria's Governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ) will also attend.

Interior Minister Karner spoke in a written statement of an "incomprehensible tragedy" - for the students, the parents and relatives, the teachers. "A tragedy for Austria." Governor Kunasek said it is "incomprehensible what happened today in Graz." As the Governor of Styria and as a father, he is "deeply affected by this insane act that has brought so much disaster and incredible suffering." His thoughts are with the innocent victims, families, and teachers.

Stocker: "What Happened Today Affects Us All"

His thoughts are "with the families and parents who have lost their child. With their siblings and relatives," said Stocker in his statement. "My sympathy goes to those who have suffered injuries and immeasurable emotional pain due to this incomprehensible act of violence, to all students and the entire school staff."

"What happened today affects us all - as humans, as parents, as a society. A school is a place of trust, security, and hope. That this safe space was so brutally shaken leaves us speechless." He thanked the emergency services, who acted quickly and prudently under the most difficult circumstances. "And I thank those who are now clarifying what happened and helping to process it." Today, it is especially about compassion and being there for each other. "In this difficult time, humanity is our strongest force."

Van der Bellen: "Hits Our Country Right in the Heart"

The tragedy in Graz was also a topic at the EU in Brussels. The daily Midday Briefing of the European Commission began with a spokesperson expressing deepest sympathy on Tuesday. The Commission's spokesperson emphasized mourning for the victims of this terrible event and with their families, in front of international journalists. These are "absolutely horrific and tragic news."

EU Leaders and Heads of State Mourn

After the attack in a Graz school with several fatalities, several European heads of state and EU top politicians offered condolences. "The news from Graz strikes at the heart," wrote EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared that she learned of the incident "with sorrow," and the Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, and Slovenia, Robert Golob, also expressed their shock.

"It is incredibly painful when something like this happens - especially in a place that should actually convey safety," wrote Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on X. He was "deeply shocked" by the news from Graz. "With great sorrow and deeply shocked," Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob offered condolences. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed similar sentiments. "With great sorrow and disbelief, I received the news of the terrible and senseless attack on the school in Graz, where unfortunately a large number of children lost their lives," he wrote on X.

Zelensky Also Offers Condolences

"With deep sorrow," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also commented on the "tragic shooting" in Graz. "Schools should never be places of violence. In our hearts, we are with both the victims, their families, and the Austrian people. We wish all the wounded a speedy recovery. Ukraine stands with its friendly Austria in this moment of mourning," Zelensky wrote on X.

"I am deeply shocked by the terrible attack that took place this morning in a Graz school. My deepest sympathy goes to the families of the victims," wrote the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on X. "I am grateful to all those who acted so quickly in this difficult situation and wish all the injured a speedy recovery. Europe stands with Austria," Metsola added.

The new Romanian President Nicusor Dan expressed being "deeply shocked" by the massacre during a state visit to Moldova. He is in thoughts with the victims of the horrific attack, their families, and the Austrian people, Dan wrote on X. Interim Prime Minister Catalin Predoiu also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, mourning together with Austria and its authorities, Predoiu wrote on X.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: "The news from Graz strikes at the heart. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and friends. Schools are symbols of youth, hope, and future. It is hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence."

EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas commented on the incident on X with the words: "Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn without fear and violence." EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. He also thanked the emergency services for their prudent and determined actions. "In these difficult hours, we must be there for each other," he wrote on X.

Italian President Reached Out to Van der Bellen

The Italian President Sergio Mattarella also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. "With great sympathy, I am following the dramatic news about the shooting in a school in Graz. In this moment of deep sorrow, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims. The thoughts of the Italians and my own are also with the injured young people, to whom I wish a swift and complete recovery," said Mattarella in a message to Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.

"My solidarity and that of the entire Italian government is with the families of the victims. My thoughts are with the injured and their relatives," declared the Italian Prime Minister Meloni. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed his shock. "Schools should be a place of peace and encounter," noted Tajani, who is also the head of the co-governing party Forza Italia.

Raffaele Fitto, Vice President of the European Commission, also expressed his condolences: "I am following the developments in Graz with concern. Schools, places of socialization and growth, should never become places of suffering. I express my sympathy to the victims, their families, and the entire community in this difficult time," wrote Fitto.

Slovenian President Expresses Shock

"In these painful moments, my thoughts and those of the entire Slovenian government are with the families of the victims, their loved ones, and all those who were injured or affected by this incident," wrote the Slovenian Prime Minister Golob. Condolences also came from State President Nataša Pirc Musar. "We share their grief, their pain, and their shock," she wrote on the platform X. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon also expressed her dismay.

(APA/Red)

Der neue rumänische Präsident Nicusor Dan äußerte sich am Rande eines Staatsbesuchs in Moldau "zutiefst erschüttert" von dem Blutbad. Er sei in Gedanken bei den Opfern der entsetzlichen Attacke, deren Familien und dem österreichischen Volk, schrieb Dan auf X. Auch Interims-Regierungschef Catalin Predoiu drückte den Angehörigen der Opfer sein tiefstes Beileid aus, man trauere gemeinsam mit Österreich und dessen Behörden, schrieb Predoiu auf X.

EU-Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen ließ wissen: "Die Nachrichten aus Graz treffen ins Mark. Meine Gedanken sind bei den Opfern, ihren Familien und Freunden. Schulen sind Symbole für Jugend, Hoffnung, und Zukunft. Es ist schwer zu ertragen, wenn Schulen zu Orten von Tod und Gewalt werden."

Die EU-Außenbeauftragte Kaja Kallas kommentierte den Vorfall auf X mit den Worten: "Jedes Kind sollte sich in der Schule sicher fühlen und ohne Angst und Gewalt lernen können." EU-Migrationskommissar Magnus Brunner äußerte Mitgefühl für die Opfer und ihre Familien. Zudem dankte er den Einsatzkräften für ihr umsichtiges und entschlossenes Handeln. "In diesen schweren Stunden müssen wir füreinander da sein", schrieb er auf X.

Italiens Präsident wandte sich an Van der Bellen

Auch der italienische Präsident Sergio Mattarella kondolierte den Familien der Opfer. "Mit großer Anteilnahme verfolge ich die dramatischen Nachrichten über die Schießerei in einer Grazer Schule. In diesem Augenblick tiefer Trauer möchte ich den Familien der Opfer mein tief empfundenes Beileid und mein aufrichtiges Mitgefühl aussprechen. Die Gedanken der Italiener und meine eigenen sind auch bei den verletzten jungen Menschen, denen ich eine rasche und vollständige Genesung wünsche", so Mattarella in einer Botschaft an Bundespräsident Alexander Van der Bellen.

"Meine Verbundenheit und die der gesamten italienischen Regierung gilt den Familien der Opfer. Meine Gedanken sind bei den Verletzten und ihren Angehörigen", erklärte die italienische Ministerpräsidentin Meloni. Erschüttert erklärte sich auch der italienische Vizepremier und Außenminister Antonio Tajani. "Schule sollten ein Ort des Friedens und der Begegnung sein", merkte auch Tajani, der auch Chef der mitregierenden Partei Forza Italia ist, an.

Auch Raffaele Fitto, Vizepräsident der Europäischen Kommission, kondolierte: "Ich verfolge die Entwicklungen in Graz mit Besorgnis. Schulen, Orte der Sozialisation und des Wachstums, sollten niemals zu Orten des Leids werden. Ich spreche den Opfern, ihren Familien und der gesamten Gemeinschaft in dieser schwierigen Zeit mein Mitgefühl aus", schrieb Fitto.

Slowenische Präsidentin zeigt sich fassungslos

"In diesen schmerzhaften Augenblicken, sind meine Gedanken und jene der gesamten slowenischen Regierung bei den Familien der Opfer, ihren Liebsten und all jenen, die bei diesem Vorfall verletzt oder getroffen wurden", schrieb der slowenische Regierungschef Golob. Beileidsbekundungen kamen auch von Staatspräsidentin Nataša Pirc Musar. "Wir teilen ihre Trauer, ihren Schmerz und ihre Fassungslosigkeit", schrieb sie auf der Plattform X. Außenministerin Tanja Fajon äußerte sich ebenfalls bestürzt.

(APA/Red)

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