Several dead in Austrian attack in Graz – officials
The Austrian interior ministry has confirmed that several people have been killed in the attack on the school in Graz in the south of the country, without specifing the exact number, AP reported.
Key events
‘Several dead’ in Graz attack – police
In a very brief social media update, the police has just confirmed “several dead” in the attack in Graz.
Earlier, it said that as part of the police response, a specialist Cobra unit and police helicopter were also deployed to the scene.
‘No further danger’ – police
The Graz police has just confirmed that it secured the site of the incident and there is no further danger.
First pictures from scene of reported attack
The Austrian national broadcaster ORF’s reporter on site says “practically nothing has been confirmed about the course of incident” beyond the gunshots, as we await further updates from the authorities.
ORF is also quoting a police spokesperson as saying that the perpetrator has likely shot himself, but adding that “the situation was still very unclear”.
At least eight dead, more injured in Austria – media reports
Unconfirmed reports in the Austrian media say at least eight people were killed in the attack, with the number of injured believed to be in “double digits,” as reported by Kronen Zeitung.
The newspaper, quoting local sources and people at the scene, says witnesses heard about 20 gunshots inside the school.
Caveat: all these numbers are yet to be confirmed by an official source.
Austria’s interior minister Gerhard Karner is reportedly on his way to Graz.
Several dead in Austrian attack in Graz – officials
The Austrian interior ministry has confirmed that several people have been killed in the attack on the school in Graz in the south of the country, without specifing the exact number, AP reported.
Austria’s Kronen Zeitung noted that the incident took place close to the tenth anniversary of the 2015 Graz attack “which many Graz residents still remember today” in which three people died, and 36 were injured.
There is currently no suggestion the two attacks were linked.
In a post on X, the Austrian police has confirmed an ongoing operation after reports of gunshots heard inside the building.
Five dead after attack on Austrian school – media reports
Multiple Austrian media are reporting up to five dead in the attack, quoting local sources, with more injured.
We have not been able to independently verify these reports, but will look out for further updates – particularly from official sources – to bring them to you as soon as we can.
‘Multiple injured’ in attack at school in Austria
We are getting reports about a serious incident at a school in the Austrian city of Graz, with the country’s national broadcaster ORF reporting multiple injured and potential deaths after an attack with gunshots reported from inside the building.
We are looking into this and will bring you updates as soon as we can.
Italian citizenship referendum fails over low turnout
A referendum on easing citizenship rules and strengthening labour laws in Italy has failed due to low voter turnout, in a win for prime minister Giorgia Meloni, whose government urged people to boycott it, Reuters reported.
Over 50 percent of voters had to participate to validate the two-day referendum but by close of polls on Monday just over 30 percent of those eligible had done so, after a number of political leaders suggested that people should skip the vote.
The referendum proposal, triggered by a grassroots campaign and backed by the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), would have reduced the time it takes to get citizenship.
A non-EU adult resident without marriage or blood ties to Italy must currently live in the country for 10 years before they can apply – a process which can then take years more. A referendum win would have cut this to five years, putting Italy in line with Germany and France.
The outcome confirmed earlier fears from activists behind the Yes campaign.
Elly Schlein, the PD’s secretary, still sought to put a positive spin on the vote, however, saying that the number of people who cast their votes was still higher than the number of people who backed Meloni to be the prime minister at the last election.
“Today the right is rejoicing, well, go ahead. We’ll talk about it again at the elections, where abstentionism won’t save them,” she told La Repubblica.
European parliament in ‘constant contact’ with Israeli authorities over French MEP involved on board Madleen
Jennifer Rankin
The president of the European parliament has been in “constant contact” with Israeli authorities over the MEP Rima Hassan, who was detained after naval forces intercepted an aid ship bound for Gaza.
Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian origin, who belongs to the radical left France Unbowed party, was on board the Madleen, which was carrying a symbolic amount of food and aid for Gaza, when it was intercepted by Israeli forces.
The European parliament president Roberta Metsola was in “constant contact” with Israeli and political group leaders “to ensure the safety and security” of Hassan and all those accompanying her, a statement from the institution said.
French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday that the French consul had been able to see six French nationals arrested by Israeli authorities last night. “One of them has agreed to leave voluntarily and should return today. The other five will be subject to forced deportation proceedings,” he wrote on X without identifying the citizens.
Leaders of three European parliamentary groups, including Hassan’s Left colleagues, the Greens and the Socialists published an open letter on Monday calling for the release of the nine people on board the Madleen.
“While we recognise that humanitarian aid must be delivered through secure and coordinated channels, the desperation behind this civil initiative shows the failure of the international community, including of the European Union, to ensure safe, sustained and sufficient access to life-saving aid for over two million people trapped in Gaza.”
Jakub Krupa
Let’s take a quick look at other news in Europe.
Explosions heard throughout night in Kyiv
Daniel Boffey
The buzzing of drones followed by explosions could be heard throughout the night in Kyiv, where residents had been told by the local authorities to take shelter in bunkers.
The city smelled of smoke on Tuesday with charred residential buildings and the remains of cars on the streets offering evidence of the impact of the strikes, which are believed to have targeted the city’s energy infrastructure.
Due to the poor air quality caused by the smoke billowing from the locations of the strikes, residents were advised on Tuesday morning to keep their windows closed and to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.
Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s military district, said on Telegram:
“A difficult night for all of us. Throughout the night, the enemy relentlessly terrorised Kyiv with attack drones. They targeted civilian infrastructure and peaceful residents of the city.”
Morning opening: Russian attacks ‘drown out’ peace efforts, Zelenskyy warns
Jakub Krupa
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that “Russian missile … strikes drown out the efforts of the United States and others around the world to force Russia into peace,” after another difficult night of constant attacks.
Russia fired 315 drones and seven missiles at Ukraine, making it one of the biggest aerial attacks of the war, killing two and wounding 13.
Zelenskyy said it was “vital that the response to this and other similar Russian attacks is not silence from the world, but concrete action.”
“Action from America, which has the power to force Russia into peace.
Action from Europe, which has no alternative but to be strong.
Action from others around the world who called for diplomacy and an end to the war – and whom Russia has ignored.
There must be strong pressure for the sake of peace.”
I will bring you all updates from Ukraine and across Europe here.
It’s Tuesday, 10 June 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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