Shock in Vienna: 16-year-old injured after knife attack at school!

Shock in Vienna: 16-year-old injured after knife attack at school!

In Vienna, worrying incidents at schools have once again come to the surface. On September 9, 2025, a 16-year-old girl was found in a school in Brigittenau with a stab wound to her upper body. The injury is attributed to a sharp object. After receiving emergency medical care from the Vienna professional rescue service, the girl was taken to a hospital where her condition is stable and her life is not in danger. Police recovered a knife near the injured girl that may be linked to the crime, while several emergency services were called to the school to search. However, this search was negative and the Vienna State Criminal Police Office took over the investigation. Polizei.news reports that ...

What does this mean for the school community? Concern about safety in schools is increasing nationwide, and not just in Austria. According to reports from ZDF.de, knife attacks among children and young people have increased worldwide. In North Rhine-Westphalia, police recorded over 3,500 knife attacks in 2023, representing an alarming 43% increase compared to the previous year. Almost 93% of perpetrators are male, with almost half being under 21.

Global trends and local impacts

The problem is not only noticeable in Germany. In Austria and other European countries, the discussion about school violence is more present than ever. According to Statista, almost half of teachers in Germany have observed violence among students. This development is the dark background against which incidents like the one in Brigittenau take place. Statista informs that...

The reasons for this increase are complex. Social circumstances, changing reporting behavior or growing up in violent dynamics often lead to an increased willingness to use violence among young people. Political decision-makers and institutions are working to develop necessary measures to counteract this. In Essen, new security concepts were developed in schools, while teachers and educators try to train students to behave democratically.

What can schools do?

Schools and parents are called upon to handle the issue sensitively. Anti-violence training is increasingly required to preventatively address these problems. Many parents believe it is important that such training becomes part of the curriculum in order to increase the sense of security among students.

Back in Vienna, it remains to be seen what further insights the investigation into the incident in Brigittenau will bring. The safety of children in schools must be a top priority, not least to prevent such incidents in the future. It is up to everyone involved to meet these challenges with determination.