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Police and emergency personnel outside Brinellskolan during a major emergency response after a man with a sword reportedly injured several people at the school in Fagersta, Sweden, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP)
By The Canadian Press

An attacker with a sword wounds at least 3 people at a school in Sweden

Aug 21, 2026 | 7:51 AM

GENEVA (AP) — An attacker with a sword wounded at least three people Friday at a school in central Sweden, and police later arrested a suspect, officials said.

The attack took place at the Brinell School in the city of Fagersta, northwest of the capital, Stockholm, the city government said. There was no immediate word on the attacker’s possible motive.

Two teenagers were seriously injured and one other person was being taken to the hospital, said Erik Bergman, a press officer for Vastmanland county, which includes Fagersta. Bergman said classes were in session Friday at the upper secondary school, with about 400 to 500 students.

Police spokesperson Pelle Vamstad, quoted by the TT news agency, said an alarm was received in the early afternoon Friday and that police rushed to the scene. He said officers would check any available camera footage for their investigation.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in a post on the X social media platform, lamented a “serious incident” in Fagersta “right after the summer break.”

“There are reports of injured people. We do not yet know what lies behind the act, but we know that the police are working very intensively,” he added. “Our thoughts are with all those affected.”

The Fagersta city government said it set up a crisis center in a sports hall near the school. The Vastmanland county government said “many people” were affected and that police, fire services, and healthcare workers were among those caring for them.

Several nearby schools were locked down following the incident, and roadblocks were set up, authorities said.

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Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report.

Jamey Keaten, The Associated Press




by The Canadian Press