Several injured after sword-wielding attacker enters Swedish school

A spokesman for the local police force said: "A call was received regarding a case of ongoing deadly violence at a school in Fagersta.

"Police have responded to the scene and one person has been taken into custody."

The spokesman continued: "Police are continuing to work at the scene with a number of different resources.

"The public is urged to respect the roadblocks and listen to police instructions."

Reports mention ambulances, police cars and a police helicopter outside the school in the small city of about 12,000 people.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer confirmed Stockholm is in close contact with the police following the attack.

He said: "We have been informed of a serious incident in Fagersta. The police are on site and working very intensively with the incident."

Local media reports officers were called to Brinellskolan high school in Fagersta at around at 2.06pm. Police spokesman Pelle Vamstad said there is no danger to the public.

“An assailant armed with a sword has entered Brinellskolan and wounded several people,” the Fagersta municipality further confirmed in a statement.

The school has some 450 students ⁠aged 16 to 20, the Reuters news agency reported.

Mr Vamstad said authorities would be looking for camera footage that could be used in the preliminary investigation.

Sweden’s Minister of Education Simona Mohamsson said: "The Government and I are closely monitoring the situation regarding the ongoing police operation in Fagersta."

In May, a threat was made against another school in Fagersta, with pupils sent home and several other schools were evacuated.

However, there is no information about any connection between that threat and today’s incident.