15.04.2026 18:35
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi made a statement regarding the armed attack organized by an 8th-grade student at Ayşer Çalık Middle School in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş. Çiftçi stated that the death toll has risen to 9, with eight of the deceased being students and one a teacher. Noting that 13 people were also injured, Çiftçi indicated that education in the city has been suspended for two days.
In the school attack in Kahramanmaraş, 9 people lost their lives, eight of whom were students and one a teacher, while the number of injured rose to 13.
ARMED ATTACK ON A MIDDLE SCHOOL IN KAHRAKAMARAŞ
Following an attack on a school in the Siverek district of Şanlıurfa yesterday, in which 16 people were injured, another attack occurred in Kahramanmaraş. According to information obtained, gunshots were heard at Ayser Çalık Middle School in the Onikişubat district. Upon notification, numerous police and medical teams were dispatched to the school. It was learned that a 14-year-old 8th-grade student, using weapons belonging to his father who is a security officer, stormed the school and opened fire randomly. The attacker committed suicide after the incident. While the injured were taken to the hospital, extensive security measures were taken at the school.
9 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES, 13 INJURED
Following the incident, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin, and Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu went to Kahramanmaraş. In a statement to journalists, Minister Çiftçi provided information about the attack. Çiftçi announced that the death toll had risen to 9. Minister Çiftçi stated that eight of those who lost their lives were students and one was a teacher.
TWO-DAY BREAK IN EDUCATION IN THE CITY
Minister Çiftçi stated that the incident is being investigated from multiple angles. Çiftçi said that education in Kahramanmaraş has been suspended for two days. Minister Çiftçi continued his words as follows: "I pray to God for mercy for all our students and our teacher who lost their lives in this heinous attack. I offer my condolences to their relatives, I offer my condolences to our noble nation.
"THE INCIDENT IS AN INDIVIDUAL ACT CARRIED OUT BY A STUDENT"
I also pray to the Almighty for a speedy recovery for all our injured who are currently receiving treatment in our hospitals. Upon hearing the news, we immediately moved to the scene with our Minister of National Education, our Minister of Health, and our Minister of Justice. Our Minister of Family is also on the way, she will arrive soon. Our esteemed deputies are here.
We have also kept our esteemed President informed of the process from the beginning of the incident, moment by moment. I want to state once again; the incident is merely an individual act carried out by one of our students; it is not a terrorist incident. Therefore, I want to express once again that we are extremely saddened by such an incident occurring yesterday in Şanlıurfa and today in Maraş."
ATTACKED 2 CLASSROOMS WITH 5TH GRADERS
Describing the details of the incident, Kahramanmaraş Governor Mükerrem Ünlüer used the following expressions: "Coming to the school with weapons in his backpack, which we assume belong to his father, and randomly, without targeting, entering specifically 2 classrooms with 5th-grade students, he caused injuries and deaths by firing.
"HE COMES TO SCHOOL WITH 5 WEAPONS AND 7 MAGAZINES"
The attacker shot and killed himself during the chaos. The 8th-grade student's father is a former security officer. We think he took his weapons. He comes to school with 5 weapons and 7 magazines."
ATTACKER'S FATHER, A POLICE CHIEF, IN CUSTODY
On the other hand, as part of the investigation, 1st Class Police Chief Inspector U.M., the father of the attacker student, was taken into custody.
INVESTIGATION INITIATED
Justice Minister Gürlek, in a statement after the attack, said: "Regarding the armed attack that occurred at a school in Kahramanmaraş, an investigation has been immediately initiated by the Kahramanmaraş Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office; 3 Deputy Chief Public Prosecutors and 4 Public Prosecutors have been assigned. Our Chief Prosecutor and the assigned Public Prosecutors continue their investigations at the scene. A publication ban decision has been taken for the safety of the investigation, and it is important for our press organizations to meticulously comply with the confidentiality of the investigation. Necessary information regarding all stages of the investigation will be provided by the authorized authorities."
8 INSPECTORS ASSIGNED
In a statement made from the Interior Ministry's social media account, it was stated that, regarding the armed attack, 4 civil chief inspectors and 4 police chief inspectors were assigned by Minister Çiftçi to investigate all aspects of the incident.
In the statement, which reported that Çiftçi urgently moved to the scene, the following was noted: "Our public prosecutors assigned under the coordination of our Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continue their investigations at the scene. A publication ban decision has been taken for the safety and healthy conduct of the investigation. In this context, it is of great importance for our press and broadcasting organizations to meticulously comply with the confidentiality of the investigation. We pray to God for mercy for our citizens who lost their lives, offer condolences to their grieving families, and wish a speedy recovery to our injured citizens. Necessary information regarding all stages of the investigation will be provided by the authorized authorities."
Here are photos from the scene: