One killed in sword attack at Swedish school

Image source, EPAImage caption, Police respond to the scene in Fagersta

One person has been killed in a sword attack at a high school in central Sweden, authorities have said.

Police were called to the Brinell School in Fagersta shortly after 14:00 local time (13:00 BST) on Friday, where officers arrested an 18-year-old man.

In an update on Friday, police said officers fired at the suspect before arresting and detaining him. He has not been named.

Two teenage boys were seriously injured in the attack. Another person had minor injuries.

Eight other schools in the area were placed under lockdown measures - which have now been lifted - while a state of high alert was declared in the Västmanland region following the attack.

Sweden's public broadcaster reported that the suspect was wearing a helmet. Local media also said he was a former student.

Police said officers were now working to establish possible motives, adding that there was currently no danger to the public.

In a post on X, Sweden's Prime Minsiter Ulf Kristersson described the attack as a "serious incident," and said "we do not know what lies behind the act, but we know that police are working very intensively".

Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf said he received the news "with dismay and sadness".

In a statement, he said: "My thoughts are with those directly affected, as well as their families and loved ones."

Students at Brinell School had only just returned to the classroom following the summer break, with the new term beginning either on Monday or Wednesday this week, depending on the academic year.

The school has just under 500 students on its roster, according to SVT, and is located 170km (105 miles) north-west of the capital, Stockholm.

Sweden has experienced a number of attacks on educational institutions in recent years.

The country experienced its worst-ever mass shooting in 2025, where 11 people, including the gunman, died at an adult education centre in Örebro.

This led to the government tightening the country's gun laws after it was found that the suspect legally owned four rifles, three of which were found in the school where attack took place.

Two teachers were killed in a violent attack on a secondary school in Malmo in 2022 - an 18-year-old student later confessed to the attack.

In 2015, a teacher and a pupil were killed in a sword attack at a school in Trollhättan.

PreviousNext0:48Has Meghan got a role in Netflix series The Gentlemen? 00:00:48, play videoHas Meghan got a role in Netflix series The Gentlemen?0:46Under 5s and pregnant women told to avoid runny eggs. 00:00:46, play videoUnder 5s and pregnant women told to avoid runny eggs0:58What happened to Harry and Meghan's American dream? 00:00:58, play videoWhat happened to Harry and Meghan's American dream?1:15The British town that wants migrants to move in. 00:01:15, play videoThe British town that wants migrants to move in1:48El Niño could be strongest in decades. 00:01:48, play videoEl Niño could be strongest in decades1:32Could drought collapse Britain's bee colonies? 00:01:32, play videoCould drought collapse Britain's bee colonies?1:09'Turkey's Simon Cowell' on taking Hull into the Premier League. 00:01:09, play video'Turkey's Simon Cowell' on taking Hull into the Premier League0:59Yung Filly to face retrial on rape charges in Australia. 00:00:59, play videoYung Filly to face retrial on rape charges in Australia1:15What is France doing to stop small boats crossing the Channel? 00:01:15, play videoWhat is France doing to stop small boats crossing the Channel?1:05'I found my favourite bench and the love of my life' 00:01:05, play video'I found my favourite bench and the love of my life'0:49Couples share their biggest money disagreements. 00:00:49, play videoCouples share their biggest money disagreements1:08What does Harry's return mean for William? 00:01:08, play videoWhat does Harry's return mean for William?0:17Watching sandcastles collapse is strangely satisfying. 00:00:17, play videoWatching sandcastles collapse is strangely satisfying1:07Is a hot cuppa really the best way to cool down? 00:01:07, play videoIs a hot cuppa really the best way to cool down?0:27Fishermen saved after days adrift in cooler off Mexico. 00:00:27, play videoFishermen saved after days adrift in cooler off Mexico0:49UK government's advice for asylum seekers causes row. 00:00:49, play videoUK government's advice for asylum seekers causes rowTop storiesGirl, 6, dies after family killed in sea off Shoreham

Prince Harry and six others face privacy case legal bill of up to £34.5m

Russian double-tap drone strike kills 15 in Ukrainian mall, officials say

Stormy autumn, cold winter - how might El Niño affect the UK weather?

Wellness habits you can start now - at no (or little) cost

Under-fives and pregnant women told to avoid runny eggs when eating out over salmonella risk

Millennials have found it hard to buy homes – but things may be turning a corner

Stifling heat and broken toilets: TUI River Cruise passengers tell of their holiday hell

Will Harry's return heal deep-rooted rift with William?

My life was changed by a terror attack - now survivors like me won't be forgotten

Brandon Flowers: Is fame worth it? I'm not sure anymore

Royal Watch: Get the latest royal stories and analysis with Sean Coughlan’s weekly newsletter

Meet the Premier League’s first female photographer

An intense psychological thriller with Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum

A poignant story of an extraordinary blended family

Diane Morgan's hit new comedy audiences are loving

Girl, 6, dies after family killed in sea off Shoreham

Murder probe after wildfire uncovers body in park

Supreme Court temporarily unfreezes Trump ballroom construction

Prince Harry and six others face privacy case legal bill of up to £34.5m

Russian double-tap drone strike kills 15 in Ukrainian mall, officials say

One killed in sword attack at Swedish school

Arran ferry evacuated over 'bomb threat' by passenger rescued from sea

Ofcom investigating Sky News over Farage harassment claims

Under-fives and pregnant women told to avoid runny eggs when eating out over salmonella risk