Major operation at school in Salzgitter - pupils safe
Major alarm at a grammar school in Salzgitter: a pupil is said to have entered the building with a weapon in his rucksack - but the police have given the all-clear. There were no indications of a specific threat, said police spokesman Thorsten Ehlers on Tuesday. The emergency services had systematically searched the building, checked pupils and taken them out of the school building individually or in small groups. Investigators assume that there were around 1,000 pupils and around 80 to 100 teachers in the secondary school.
The police ended the searches and the operation in the early afternoon, and shortly beforehand the all-clear was given for the pupils concerned. The police operation was triggered by a person who is said to have been carrying a firearm. He was reportedly seen at the school in the Bad district. According to reports, no shots were fired. According to the police, one child suffered a shock and was taken to a local hospital.
Investigations continue
Further investigations are likely to be extensive, the spokesperson announced. It must be clarified how the tip-off about a possible danger came about - it was initially unclear who had given the tip-off. The police were notified at around 8.30 a.m. and deployed to the school with a large contingent.
School pastor Andrea Below said that she had not even been able to enter the school because of the amok alarm and that the first parents had immediately arrived "very alarmed". The pupils had remained "incredibly calm" and had supported each other. The younger ones in particular were "really scared".
Mayor of Salzgitter Frank Klingebiel praised the pupils and teachers, saying they had all behaved in an exemplary manner. He was "absolutely glad that nothing more happened", said the CDU politician, who had been noticeably affected by the events. "It's also my school, I know a lot of people here." The emergency services arrived at the school quickly. When the children were safe, it was "a load off his mind".
Despite the conclusion of the operation and the all-clear, school authorities may need to implement emergency drills or procedures to ensure the safety of students in light of the recent emergencies. Additionally, schools should encourage open communication between students, parents, and staff to address any concerns or anxieties related to school safety.
Source: www.dpa.com
