Politicians condemn sword attack that injured several in Fagersta

Several people were injured after a man armed with a sword or machete entered Brinellskolan, a school in Fagersta, on Friday, prompting condemnation from Sweden’s party leaders, SVT reports.

The man entered the school at around 2pm. The municipality said several people had been injured, but the number and severity of the injuries remained unclear.

A suspected perpetrator was reportedly arrested after police shot him in the leg.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the incident had taken place at a school shortly after the summer break and that police were working intensively to establish what had happened.

“I want to ask everyone to allow the police and emergency services to work without disruption. Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” he wrote in a text message to SVT.

Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson described the reports as terrible and said that Sweden stood together with Fagersta.

“When violence takes place at a school, I know it affects everyone in our country,” she wrote on X.

Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar also expressed her support for those affected and their relatives, saying that it was more important than ever to stand together.

Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said that thoughts were with the students, their families and all school staff, adding that healthcare workers and police had her full support.

Green Party spokesperson Daniel Helldén said the party’s two spokespersons were following developments closely.

“What happened in Fagersta is terribly tragic. When students and school staff are subjected to violence, it affects us all,” he wrote on X.

Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson said the reports were terrible and that such an incident should not be able to happen in Sweden.

Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson said she had received terrible reports from a school in Fagersta and that her thoughts were with all students, teachers and parents.