Four Indian students were among at least six injured in a stabbing at the State Medical University in Ufa, capital of the Russian republic of Bashkortostan, on Saturday (7 February), the Indian embassy in Moscow confirmed.
The Indian embassy described the incident as an “unfortunate incident” and said, “Several persons including four Indian students were injured.”
The embassy confirmed it is in contact with local authorities. Officials from the Indian Consulate in Kazan were sent to Ufa to help the injured students.
According to preliminary reports, a teenager armed with a knife entered a university dormitory and attacked residents. Several students were stabbed in the incident, authorities said.
Major General Irina Volk, spokeswoman for the Russian Interior Ministry, told RTVI.com: “The attacker resisted arrest during which two policemen were stabbed. The suspect also inflicted bodily harm.”
Casualty status
The Russian Federal Ministry of Health said four people injured in the attack were receiving medical attention:
– One victim is in serious condition
-Three others are in moderate condition
The attacker, identified as a 15-year-old, was also admitted to a local children’s hospital in serious condition.
A possible neo-Nazi motif
Telegram channel Baza said the attacker may have been linked to a banned neo-Nazi organization: “He belonged to the banned neo-Nazi organization NS/WP. During the rampage, he shouted nationalist slogans about the Holocaust.”
A photo shared by the channel showed a swastika painted on a wall in the blood of the victims.
Authorities are opening an investigation
Authorities in Ufa have launched a high-level investigation into the incident. The city is located about 1,200 km east of Moscow, and officials are working to determine the motive and circumstances of the attack.