At least four people were killed and 20 others wounded in a shooting at a middle school in the southern Turkish province of Kahramanmaraş on Wednesday, local authorities confirmed.

The incident marks the second school shooting in Turkey in as many days, raising serious concerns about a sudden spike in gun violence targeting educational institutions in the country, where such attacks remain extremely rare.

According to the Kahramanmaraş Governor’s Office, the shooting occurred during school hours at a middle school in the provincial center. Details about the shooter, motive, and exact sequence of events have not yet been released, as the investigation is ongoing.

No immediate information was available on the identity or background of the attacker.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that security forces have launched a full investigation and are working to secure the area and support affected families. Emergency services responded rapidly, transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals. Some victims are reported to be in critical condition.

Second Incident in 48 Hours

This tragedy follows a similar attack on Tuesday, April 14, in Siverek district of Şanlıurfa province. In that incident, an 18- or 19-year-old former student opened fire with a shotgun at the Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, wounding 16 people — including 10 students, four teachers, a police officer, and a cafeteria worker — before turning the weapon on himself. 

Turkish officials have described both incidents as isolated but have pledged a thorough review of school security protocols nationwide. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to address the incidents in the coming hours.

School shootings are exceptionally uncommon in Turkey due to strict gun control laws and cultural factors. These back-to-back events have shocked the public and prompted calls for enhanced security measures in schools across the country.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information as the investigations continue. Updates on the Kahramanmaraş shooting are expected later today as more details emerge.