False alarm at Wuppertal school sparks massive police operation

Tension gripped a German high school after media outlets reported a masked individual, allegedly armed, had entered the premises. Despite an immediate response, authorities found no suspicious person or object.

The incident occurred at a high school on Sedanstrasse in Wuppertal, where a masked individual wielding a knife was reportedly sighted. The alarm was sounded around 9:00 AM GMT, when around 700 students and 55 teachers were on site. In response, police mobilized all available emergency services from across North Rhine-Westphalia.

By the time emergency services arrived, students had already barricaded themselves in their classrooms, and distressed students were found outside the school. Officials then secured a section of Wuppertal's centre.

Special response teams, including heavily armed officers from the SEK and BFE anti-terrorism units, were dispatched to the scene.

"The operation commenced shortly after 9:00 AM GMT following reports of a suspicious figure on the school grounds. We then coordinated with emergency services and implemented necessary measures," Andreas Reuter, a police spokesperson, told the "Bild" newspaper.

Evacuation efforts began at approximately 10:30 AM GMT, with buses arriving to transport students. Preparations were also made at St. Anthony's Church nearby, where rescuers and pastors stood ready to offer support. By 11:45 AM GMT, the search concluded, and students started leaving the school safely under police protection. Authorities confirmed that no suspicious items were found, and there were no injuries.

This incident comes eight weeks after a tragic event at another Wuppertal high school, where 17-year-old Yilmaz stabbed four students and himself. The Wuppertal District Court has since charged the student with attempted murder and serious bodily harm.

Source: Bild