A 13-year-old student has carried out a deadly shooting at a school in southern Turkey, leaving nine people dead and 13 others injured, as terrified students reportedly jumped from windows to escape the violence.
The incident marks the second school shooting in the country within two days, according to officials.
The attack occurred on Wednesday in Kahramanmaras province, a region where such incidents are uncommon.
Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci confirmed the updated casualty figures, saying, “We regret to report nine deaths (…) and 13 wounded. Six of them are currently in intensive care, three of whom are in critical condition,” revising an earlier toll of four deaths and 20 injuries.
Earlier, the province’s governor, Mukerrem Unluer, explained how the attack unfolded.
“A student came to school with guns that we believe belonged to his father in his backpack. He entered two classrooms and opened fire randomly, causing injuries and deaths,” he told reporters.
Authorities said the suspect, an eighth-grade student and son of a former police officer, brought multiple weapons to the school, including five guns and seven magazines. He died during the incident.
“We suspect he may have taken his father’s weapons,” the governor said.
“He shot himself. It is not yet clear whether this was suicide or happened amid the chaos,” he added.
Police have since detained the suspect’s father, Ugur Mersinli, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
Videos circulating from the scene showed emergency responders evacuating victims, including one individual whose identity was concealed, while distressed parents gathered outside the school.
Another clip captured students leaping from a first-floor window as gunshots rang out, with others fleeing across the school grounds.
Approximately 15 shots could be heard in the footage.
Security forces quickly cordoned off the area, while ambulances were seen transporting the injured. Both the interior and education ministers travelled to Kahramanmaras following the incident.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek confirmed that prosecutors had launched an immediate investigation into the shooting.
The tragedy came just a day after a similar incident in Siverek district of Sanliurfa province, where a former student opened fire at his old high school, injuring 16 people before killing himself during a confrontation with police. Ten of the victims in that attack were students.
Addressing lawmakers from the ruling AKP party, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed accountability, stating that those found negligent or responsible “will certainly be held accountable” over the school shootings.
He added that one suspect had been arrested in connection with Tuesday’s attack, while four officials were suspended. The affected school has been shut for four days.
Reacting to the incidents, opposition CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called for urgent improvements in school security.
“At this point, it is clearly evident that violence in schools can no longer be explained by isolated incidents,” he wrote on X.
“This issue has turned into a growing and deepening security vulnerability,” he said.
He outlined several measures, including stricter control of school entry and exit points, increased security personnel, enhanced surveillance systems, more frequent police patrols, and well-prepared emergency response plans.
“The security of schools is entrusted to our state. No negligence or deficiency in this regard can be excused anymore,” Ozel said.
Although Turkey enforces strict gun control laws, requiring licensing, registration, and background checks, school shootings have historically been rare.
However, concerns are rising following these back-to-back incidents.
