A blast was heard at the school in the Russian city of Kazan and a teenage gunman has been detained following the shooting
At least 11 people, including some students, have been killed and several others injured in a shooting at a school that took place in southwest Russia, according to reports.
The RIA news agency has said that a blast was heard within the school in the city of Kazan and a teenage gunman has since been detained by police.
Footage posted to social media platforms has shown a large crowd outside of the school after the building had been evacuated, and emergency services including paramedics, as well as armed police officers at the scene.
Around 21 ambulances were sent to the site, with local officials also turning up, RIA added.
This comes after Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has appeared for the first time in public for since he went on a hunger strike, via a video link during his first court hearing. The 44-year-old told the court that he looks like a “creepy skeleton” and had described the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, as a “naked king”.
Interfax news agency has cited that a source as said there were two attackers and that the second could potentially still be inside the building.
Reports of there being two perpetrators are still unconfirmed.
A witness has told the TASS news agency that there was an explosion before the attack at the school was carried out.
Some students had been seen jumping out of the windows in order to escape the shooting, it has been reported.
Video that was taken inside the school showed corridors littered with debris, and damaged classrooms and toilet facilities, the doors of which appeared as if they had been shattered in a blast.
Moscow correspondent for Sky News, Diana Magnay, has said most of the victims are believed to have been children, with one teacher having also potentially been killed.
“You can see video of the attacker being detained outside the school – being pinned down,” she said.
“We have just heard from the regional governor that he was 19 years old and licensed to carry a firearm.
“We have no idea of his motives yet.
“Clearly a horrific situation unfolding.”
She said there was footage of video inside the premises showing “a large explosion”, adding that the school will have just opened after a 10-day holiday.
This comes after police rounded up over 1,700 protesters on Wednesday as Russians across the country took part in rallies organised by allies of hunger-striking Alexei Navalny.
Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov described the shooting as a “disaster” and a “tragedy”.
He told reporters outside the school that 12 children and four adults were being treated in hospital.
“The terrorist has been arrested. He’s 19. He’s a registered firearm owner,” he said.
One video on social media captured a teenager lying on the ground apparently being detained outside the building.
