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

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 coming days - up to and including Thursday - will follow a national mourning period, as the federal government decided in a circular resolution on Tuesday evening. Additionally, the Austrian flag was set at half-mast on all public buildings. On Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM, a nationwide minute of silence will be held for the victims. The federal government will also hold a minute of silence at the start of tomorrow's cabinet meeting to commemorate the victims of the rampage in Graz. Furthermore, the decisions planned for tomorrow will be postponed, it was said.

The government leadership also convened the National Security Council for Thursday. The aim is to thoroughly analyze the background of the rampage and discuss measures to prevent similar acts, as stated in a release on Tuesday evening.

"Country stands still in this moment of horror"

"Today is a dark day in the history of our country," said Chancellor Stocker, who traveled to Graz after the act, at a press conference at the local state police headquarters in the afternoon. "There are no words to express the pain, the disbelief, and the grief that all of Austria feels," said Stocker, "our country stands still in this moment of horror." Schools must remain places of peace where our children can learn and grow without worry.

"The rampage at a school in Graz is a national tragedy that deeply shakes 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 currently feeling," said Stocker in a written statement on Tuesday early afternoon.

The also arrived Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) previously spoke in a written statement of an "incomprehensible tragedy" - for the students, the parents and relatives, the teachers. "A tragedy for Austria." Styria's Governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ) also spoke of an "incomprehensible tragedy." He thanked the members of the federal government who had traveled and advocated for standing together and holding together in these difficult hours. He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and thanked the helpers and emergency services.

Chancellor and Interior Minister on the way to Graz

According to his spokesperson, Chancellor Stocker is on his way to Graz, with a press conference planned there at the state police headquarters after 3:00 PM. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) will also participate, it was said from 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 unimaginable 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 above all 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"

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen also expressed deep shock. "This horror is beyond words. What happened today in a school in Graz hits our country right in the heart," he posted on X. "They were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their journey. There is nothing that can ease the pain that the parents, grandparents, siblings, friends of the murdered feel at this moment."

Austria mourns, "and in this hour we stand together. We stand together to withstand the pain together. We stand together to be there for all those who are injured. Today and in the difficult days to come, our country will show that our strength lies in this togetherness."

Attack in Graz school: Babler and Meinl-Reisinger also "shocked"

The news from Graz would "shake the entire country to its core," explained Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) on the short message service bluesky. "All of Austria mourns," said the SPÖ leader. It is "impossible to put this horrific tragedy into words." His deeply felt sympathy goes to the victims and their loved ones. In these dark days, Austria stands together. "We stand by Graz."

NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger also said via X, "the rampage in Graz deeply shocks me." Her sympathy and grief are with the victims and their relatives. "No one can imagine the suffering, as a mother of three children it breaks my heart." Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) also expressed being affected and "infinitely sad." He is "in thoughts with the relatives of the victims, all students, teachers, and all staff."

Condolences also from Kickl and Kogler

The party leaders of FPÖ and the Greens, Herbert Kickl and Werner Kogler, also showed deep shock. "The perpetrator brought unimaginable suffering to the families of the victims through his insane act," said Kickl in a statement. "The most valuable of a society - our children - was attacked here." His grief, sympathy, and condolences now go to all the bereaved and friends of the victims. He wishes all the injured a speedy and complete recovery.

"Green Party leader Kogler was stunned." "One searches for words. And finds only grief and helplessness," he stated. "Nothing can heal these wounds. No words, no explanations, no why. It is and remains an act of deepest cruelty - abhorrent, disturbing." Both also thanked the emergency and rescue services.

Condolences also came from religious representatives. From the church, Diocesan Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl and Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Freitag expressed their deepest sympathy to the students, the teaching staff, and the relatives. The former Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, also expressed his sympathy to the relatives of the victims and injured of the Graz rampage. "Evil and death will not have the last word." The Protestant church also expressed shock and deep concern. The President of the Jewish Community, Oskar Deutsch, stated on X that he prays for the rescue and recovery of all the injured and wished the emergency services much strength. The President of the Islamic Religious Community, Ümit Vural, also expressed his deep concern.

EU Commission Expressed Deepest Sympathy

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 the deepest sympathy on Tuesday. "We mourn the victims of this terrible event and with their relatives," emphasized the Commission's spokesperson in front of international journalists. It was "absolutely terrible and tragic news."

EU Leaders and Heads of State Mourn

After the attack in a Graz school with several fatalities, several European leaders and EU top politicians offered condolences. "The news from Graz strikes at the core," 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 leaders 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 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.

Zelenskyy Also Offers Condolences

"With deep sorrow," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 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 grief," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

"I am deeply shocked by the terrible attack that occurred 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 himself "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 relatives 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.

Italy's President addressed Van der Bellen

Italian President Sergio Mattarella also offered condolences to the families of the victims. "With great sympathy, I follow the dramatic news about the shooting in a school in Graz. In this moment of deep sorrow, I want 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 Italian Prime Minister Meloni. Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed his shock. "Schools should be places 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 offered 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 Slovenian Prime Minister Golob. Condolences also came from 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)

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