One pupil died and several others were injured in a stabbing attack at a school in the Croatian capital Zagreb on Friday, state media reported.

Police had earlier reported that a “young man” had attacked a teacher and schoolchildren at a primary school with a sharp object.

“Eight people were injured in the attack of whom one child has died,” the HINA state-run news agency said, citing the health ministry.

Police said the alleged suspect in the attack had been taken into custody.

“We are shocked, as is the entire Croatian public, with the horrible tragedy at the primary  school,” Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at the start of a government session.

Plenkovic said several schoolchildren were being treated in four Zagreb hospitals, adding that more details would be released soon.

Zagreb mayor Tomislav Tomasevic, Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic and Education Minister Radovan Fuchs rushed to the school following the attack.