A 61-year-old teacher was killed and two others — including a student now fighting for her life — were injured after a 13-year-old pupil attacked an elementary school in Staskov village, Cadca district, Slovakia, on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The knife attack, which occurred after the first lesson of the day, has prompted a national response from Slovak authorities.

What Happened at Staskov

According to local Slovak media outlet Koktejl, the eighth-grade student attacked a primary school student with a knife following the conclusion of the first class at a school in Staskov. The 61-year-old teacher who died was reportedly caught in the attack, while another teacher sustained injuries but is confirmed to be out of danger. The injured student, however, remains in a critical condition.

Slovak authorities swiftly detained the suspected attacker. Slovakia's Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok confirmed the arrest, noting that the case has been transferred to the Office for Combating Organised Crime of the Presidium of the Police Force — an unusual escalation for a school assault that signals the gravity with which the government is treating the incident.

What Slovak Police Said

In an official statement shared on Facebook, the Slovak Police Force confirmed: 'In connection with today's extremely serious incident which occurred in the morning hours in the village of Staskov, the case was taken over by the Office of Fight Against Organised Crime by the Presidency of the Police Force. The suspect is a 13-year-old elementary school pupil.'

The statement added: 'Members of the Police Force from several units are on site, the situation is under control and there is no further danger. All necessary due process tasks are being performed.' Police also urged the public and media to rely only on verified sources and to avoid circulating unconfirmed information — a signal that misinformation was already spreading online.

Prime Minister Fico Responds

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he was monitoring the situation 'with great concern' and dispatched relevant ministers to the scene. In a Facebook post, Fico wrote: 'Schools must be safe places for our children; otherwise, we will have no future.'

He added: 'I am personally extremely sorry, I express my sincere condolences to the survivors and wish the injured a speedy recovery and a lot of strength. The relevant ministers are already on their way to the scene.' This is the second high-profile school violence incident to draw direct prime ministerial attention in Central Europe this year, reflecting growing anxiety across the region about safety in educational institutions.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

School violence incidents have drawn heightened scrutiny across Europe following a series of attacks in neighbouring countries in recent years. Slovakia, which has historically reported relatively low levels of school violence, is now grappling with questions about security protocols and mental health support in educational settings. The involvement of the Office for Combating Organised Crime in handling the case — rather than standard local police — suggests investigators may be probing whether the attack was premeditated or involved any external influence on the 13-year-old suspect.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive. An investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected as Slovak law enforcement completes its initial due process procedures. The condition of the critically injured student will be closely monitored in the coming hours.