Student killed after classmate launches violent attack at school in Turkey

A 15-year-old girl attacked students with a knife at a middle school in Istanbul’s Başakşehir district on Tuesday morning, killing one child and injuring seven others.

The incident occurred around 8:35–8:40 a.m. at Kayaşehir Şeyh Şamil Imam Hatip Middle School. The suspect, identified only as F.M., a 10th-grade student at a high school in the nearby Küçükçekmece district, entered the school wearing a school uniform and carrying a knife she had taken from home. She stabbed several students, mostly girls aged 10 to 13, in an apparently indiscriminate attack.

Among the victims was 10-year-old Eslem Sare Bulut, who was critically injured and later died in hospital despite medical efforts. The other seven students remain under treatment; early reports indicated that some were in serious or critical condition.

Security personnel at the school detained the attacker shortly after the assault and handed her over to police. Authorities launched an immediate investigation. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that judicial proceedings have begun against the suspect and assigned a senior civil inspector and a senior police inspector to examine all aspects of the incident, including events leading up to it.

In a statement, the ministry expressed condolences to Eslem Sare Bulut’s family, relatives, the education community, and the nation, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured students. Officials said they are coordinating with the Ministry of National Education to review and strengthen security measures at schools and in surrounding areas to prevent similar incidents.

Education at the affected school was suspended for the day and the following day. A broadcasting ban was also imposed on detailed coverage of the case to protect the investigation and public order.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül visited injured students in hospital and noted that the attacker lived in the same neighborhood and targeted children without apparent specific motive. Further details from the ongoing probe are expected.