Hundreds participated in a silent march in the heart of Croatia’s capital on Monday, advocating for increased safety measures following a tragic incident in which a student lost their life and three others were injured in a knife attack at a Zagreb school.

The demonstration, organized by various teachers’ unions, aimed to urge local authorities to take more decisive actions to ensure the safety of children within educational institutions across Croatia. Similar marches were also organized in several other cities and towns throughout the country.

In their collective statement, approximately 50 teachers’ organizations and other groups emphasized the need for support from various sectors, including government bodies, school personnel, media, civil society groups, and the wider community. They echoed a clear message: the safety of students must be prioritized.

In response to the incident, Croatia’s education ministry has convened expert teams to explore options for enhancing security measures in schools. Minister Radovan Fuchs noted that potential strategies might involve securing school entrances and implementing stricter access controls.

Authorities revealed that the alleged assailant, a 19-year-old former student of the primary school in Precko, was still residing in the area at the time of the attack. Police reported that when they captured him, he was inflicting wounds upon himself.

Incidents of violence in schools are relatively uncommon in Croatia and the broader Balkan region. However, a recent tragic event in May 2023 in neighboring Serbia highlighted the serious risks, as a teenager opened fire at a school in Belgrade, resulting in the deaths of nine students along with a school guard.