The attacker, a former police officer, killed himself following a major police operation to hunt him down after he attacked the nursery.
An attack on a childcare centre in northern Thailand left more than 35 people dead, many of them children.
According to Thai authorities, the attacker – reportedly a former police officer – killed himself following a major police operation to hunt him down after he attacked the nursery.
The gunman fired randomly at passers-by as he fled the scene. Before shooting himself dead, the gunman murdered his wife and son. Local media quoted the region’s deputy police commander as saying that the gunman was under the influence of drugs.
He reportedly fled the scene, after shooting and stabbing his victims, before killing himself and his family, following a major police operation to hunt down the attacker.
Thai citizens took to social media condemning the attack and offering their condolences to the victims’ families. The hashtag “Mass Shooting in Nong Bua Lam Phu” trended through the day.
The killings prompted strong international condemnation on Thursday as a number of world leaders too expressed shock over the attack.
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss tweeted “I am shocked to hear of the horrific events in Thailand this morning. My thoughts are with all those affected and the first responders. The UK stands with the Thai people at this terrible time.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese too tweeted saying, “It’s impossible to comprehend the heartbreak of this horrific news from Thailand. All Australians send their love and condolences.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said he was shocked and saddened by the mass shooting and the UNICEF office in Bangkok tweeted its message of condemnation.
“UNICEF is saddened and shocked by the tragic shooting incident at an early childhood development centre in Thailand’s northern province of NongBuaLamphu. UNICEF condemns all forms of violence against children. No child should be a target or witness of violence anywhere, anytime.”
“UNICEF condemns all forms of violence against children. No child should be a target or witness of violence anywhere, anytime”, said a statement released by the agency, emphasising that learning spaces “must be safe havens” for youngsters to learn, play and grow.
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, also issued its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
“Attacks on schools, students and educators, are attacks on rights to education”, the agency tweeted. “No-one should be a target.”
Image: Representative image from Thai Red Cross Society.
