A school in Thailand has reportedly come under attack in an alleged mass shooting, with teachers and students “taken hostage.” According to the initial reports, the attacker entered the school and opened fire at security staff and others nearby before seizing a group of students and teachers and holding them inside the building.
The incident has reportedly occurred in the province of Songkhla. According to the officials, at least three people had been injured during the incident. Meanwhile, many other students remain stuck in classrooms throughout the school, unable to leave because they fear the situation outside is unsafe.
Police from the Hat Yai station, supported by special operations teams and rescue personnel, have secured the perimeter around the school in an effort to contain the situation and maintain pressure on the suspect. A police official confirmed that the gunman who entered the school has been detained.
“The perpetrator has been captured,” Deputy Superintendent Wichian Soboon told Reuters.
The suspect was an 18-year-old man, who entered the Patongprathankiriwat School in the Hat Yai district in the province of Songkhla earlier today and fired shots.