School massacre in Turkey

A 14-year-old student killed at least nine people, including eight of his classmates, and wounded 13 others at a high school in southeastern Turkey today, in the country's second school shooting in just two days.

Eight students and one teacher were killed in the attack in Kahramanmaraş province, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci told reporters, adding that six of the wounded were in critical condition.

"This is purely a personal attack carried out by one of our students, it is not a terrorist incident," said Čiftči.

Earlier, Kahramanmaraş Governor Mukerem Unluer said the attacker shot and killed himself in the commotion. "An eighth-grader came with five weapons and seven cartridges - which we believe belong to his father, a former police officer - in his bag, entered two classrooms with fifth-graders and randomly caused death and injury," Unluer said.

In Turkey, fifth-grade students are usually 10 or 11 years old, according to Reuters.

School shootings are very rare in Turkey. Asked if authorities would take action after Sunday's attack, Çiftçi said: "We will take the necessary measures," without giving details.

NTV television reported that the attacker's father had been detained.

Gun laws in Turkey are generally strict, with only those over the age of 21 and in possession of a permit being allowed to own weapons. However, guns are widespread, and many members of the security services are allowed to carry and possess weapons.

Turkish authorities have banned the broadcast of "traumatic" footage of the shooting, warning media organizations to limit reporting to statements from officials.

Parents rushed to the school in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş after hearing reports of an armed attack, NTV television reported.

Unverified footage shows several students jumping from a second-floor window as gunshots echo in the schoolyard. A purported school surveillance video shows the gunman shooting at two students walking down a hallway.

Footage released by Turkish media on Wednesday from around the school shows ambulances arriving in front of the school, where police and citizens have gathered at the gate.

On Tuesday, a former student opened fire at a school in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa, wounding at least 16 people, including students and teachers, before committing suicide.