10-Year-Old Eslem Sare Bulut Killed in Istanbul School Stabbing Attack Involving 15-Year-Old Suspect

A school day in Istanbul, Turkey, turned into a tragedy when a 10-year-old girl was fatally injured in a stabbing attack that also left seven other children hurt.

The victim, Eslem Sare Bulut, was among the students attacked at Şeyh Şamil Imam Hatip Secondary School in the Başakşehir district on the morning of October 6, 2026.

According to Turkish officials and media reports, the alleged attacker was a 15-year-old student who attended another school. Investigators said she allegedly entered the school wearing its uniform before attacking students with a knife.

Emergency responders took the injured children to nearby hospitals. Eslem later died from her injuries.

A suspect was arrested

Authorities apprehended the teenage suspect at the scene. Turkish media reported that her parents were also detained in connection with the investigation.

On October 7, Anadolu Agency reported that the suspect and both parents had been remanded in custody. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations must be distinguished from any final court findings.

Officials have not publicly established a definitive motive for the attack.

A community mourns a young student

Eslem’s death left her family, classmates and teachers grieving a child whose life ended far too soon. Her funeral took place on October 7, with relatives, community members and local officials gathering to pay their respects.

Turkey’s Ministry of National Education announced that psychosocial support teams would assist students, teachers and parents affected by the incident.

The attack has raised urgent concerns about student safety and how schools can protect children from violence. As investigators continue examining what happened, the injured students and the victim’s family remain at the center of the tragedy.

For Eslem’s loved ones, the loss is immeasurable. A young girl who should have been focused on school, friendships and growing up has instead become the victim of a tragedy that has shaken an entire community.

Sources:

PEOPLE

Euronews

Anadolu Agency