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Attack unfolds at vocational school in Siverek
A former student opened fire inside a high school in south-eastern Turkey on Tuesday morning, wounding 16 people before taking his own life when police closed in, local officials reported.
Casualties and emergency response
The injured include ten students, four teachers, one cafeteria worker, and one police officer. All were rushed to nearby hospitals; five were later transferred to specialized facilities for additional care. The school, identified as Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Şanlıurfa province's Siverek district, was evacuated shortly after the 09:30 local time (06:30 GMT) incident.
Gunman's profile and possible motive
Local governor Hasan Şildak stated the attacker, described as a teenager in his late teens, used a shotgun and fired randomly before turning the weapon on himself. Şildak confirmed the assailant had no prior criminal record and noted the school had been deemed secure by law enforcement. Authorities have launched an investigation into the motive, which remains unclear.
Social media threats surface
Local media outlets reported the gunman had recently posted threats on the school's social media accounts, warning of an impending attack "in a few days." Witnesses described the weapon as a pump-action shotgun with visible rims.
Witness accounts detail chaos
A bystander told local media the attacker, appearing to be 17 or 18 years old, entered the school grounds through the front gate, immediately brandishing the firearm. "He started shooting left and right, then ran inside, firing at anyone in his path," the witness said. "Screams erupted as students and teachers scrambled to escape."
"First we threw ourselves to the ground, then two of us jumped out of the window. He didn't say anything-just came in and started shooting."
Ömer Furkan Sayar, injured student
Sayar, speaking to Turkey's state broadcaster TRT, recounted the gunman entering at least two classrooms, including his own.
Rarity of school shootings in Turkey
Governor Şildak emphasized such incidents are uncommon in Turkey, where school security protocols typically prevent firearms from entering campuses. The attack has prompted renewed discussions about safety measures and mental health support in educational institutions.
