Portugal was left in shock on Tuesday as a 12-year-old boy carried out a stabbing attack, injuring six other children inside a school. The incident took place in Azambuja, near Lisbon, and the victims ranged from 11 to 14 years old, according to the Portuguese national police. One of the boys sustained a serious chest wound but is not in life-threatening condition and has been transported to a hospital in Lisbon. The mayor of Azambuja, Silvino Lúcio, reported that five girls suffered minor injuries to their arms. The police have detained the attacker but have not yet provided any information regarding his motive for the assault.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed his condemnation of the attack and sent well wishes for the swift recovery of the injured children through a message posted on social media platform X. He described it as an “isolated attack” that is highly unusual in Portugal. Montenegro emphasized that this incident should prompt those working in public spaces to reflect upon their responsibilities.
The images from this rare act of violence within a school have deeply affected Portugal’s society. As investigations continue into what led this young boy to commit such an act, authorities are grappling with understanding how such incidents can be prevented in the future.
