Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credits: Author / Source / Credit Oliver Bunic / AFP 19:44 pm, May 03, 2023

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Wednesday afternoon that a student of French nationality was among the victims of the shooting earlier in the morning at a primary school in Belgrade, Serbia. In this tragedy, seven girls and one boy died, as well as a guard.

A student of French nationality is among the victims of Wednesday's shooting at a primary school in Belgrade, Serbia, the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Our services and our embassy in Belgrade are mobilized to give all their support to the family of our young compatriot in this ordeal," said the Quai d'Orsay, which also sends its "deepest condolences" to the families of those killed (eight students and the guard of the establishment). "The France expresses its full solidarity with the Serbian people and authorities in the face of this tragedy," the ministry said.

13-year-old boy arrested

A 13-year-old boy from the facility was arrested on suspicion of having prepared the killing in detail. This tragedy has caused a huge shock in Serbia where school shootings are extremely rare. The children killed were seven girls and one boy, born in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Belgrade police chief Veselin Milic told a news conference.

The police had been alerted by the school's deputy principal before the assailant himself called the police two minutes later. The Serbian government has declared three days of national mourning starting Friday. The classes, cancelled Wednesday afternoon in Belgrade, will begin Thursday with a minute of silence in the country, announced the Minister of Education, Branko Ruzic.