Death Toll Rises To 11 In Swedish School Shooting, Police Say

COPENHAGEN, Feb 5 (Bernama-dpa) -- At least 11 people were killed when a gunman opened fire at an adult education centre in the Swedish city of Örebro, according to police said late on Tuesday, as reported by German news agency dpa.

Authorities had earlier spoken of around 10 deaths. It is still unclear how many people were injured in the incident.

Police are working to identify the dead and notify their relatives, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said at a press conference on Tuesday evening. The investigations are ongoing, he said.

"We all want to understand why," Strömmer said, speaking of the worst mass shooting Sweden has ever seen.

A police spokesman told the Swedish SVT radio on Wednesday morning that the death toll could still rise. "Unfortunately, since we also have no information on the condition of those being treated in hospital, there is a risk that the number will not remain at 11," he said. 

Police believe that the alleged perpetrator is among the dead. The man was previously unknown to the police and had no connection to a gang, the head of the local police Roberto Eid Forest said. 

Investigators assume the perpetrator acted alone and that the shooting was not an act of terrorism. There is so far no evidence that ideological motives were behind the incident, investigators said.

Police warned that inaccurate accounts of the shooting were being shared on social media.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson extended his condolences to the victims' families in a post on X on Tuesday, calling it a very painful day for all of Sweden.

In a written statement, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf also shared his condolences and thanked the police and rescue workers, as well as hospital staff, for saving lives on what was a "dark day". 

-- BERNAMA-dpa