Four children killed in nursery attack as man, 25, breaks into daycare centre armed with hatchet in Brazil

5 April 2023, 15:16 | Updated: 5 April 2023, 15:47

The attack happened at a private daycare centre in southern Brazil
The attack happened at a private daycare centre in southern Brazil. Picture: Google Maps

By Will Taylor

Four children have been killed after a man armed with a hatchet attacked a nursery in Brazil.

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Three others were taken to hospital while the 25-year-old man was arrested in Blumenau, in the country's south.

He climbed over a wall to get into the nursery, reports say.

Firefighters said the man was armed with a hatchet.

Parents were seen weeping at the Cantinho do Bom Pastor private daycare centre.

Brazil's president Lula said: "There is no greater pain than that of a family that loses its children or grandchildren, even more so in an act of violence against innocent and defenceless children."

Santa Catarina's state governor Jorginho Mello said: "May God comfort the hearts of all families in this moment of deep pain."

School attacks were uncommon but in recent years the tragedies have become more frequent.

Last week, a teacher was stabbed to death by a student who wounded others in Sao Paolo.

An 18-year-old man killed two employees and three toddlers at a creche in Saudades, about 325 miles west of Blumenau in the same state of Santa Catarina.