KUCHING, Oct 21 — Police are investigating a 16-year-old male student for allegedly attacking a teacher with an axe at an international school here today.

Acting Sarawak Police Commissioner DCP Saifullizan Ishak said police received a report of the incident at 8.03am via the MERS 999 emergency line.

He said the report alleged that a student had brought firecrackers and used an axe to injure a teacher.

“The victim, a female teacher, reportedly suffered injuries to the hand during the attack.

“The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, as well as Section 6(1) of the Explosives Act 1957,” he said in a statement.

Saifullizan said police were conducting a detailed investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and gather relevant evidence.

He also urged the public not to speculate or spread unverified information about the case, out of respect for the ongoing investigation and the interests of all parties involved.

The incident has caused concern in Kuching, particularly following reports that the alleged attack was livestreamed on social media.

Footage circulating online purportedly showed the student taking items, including a lighter and an axe, out of a schoolbag while inside a school toilet.

The student appeared to have a mobile phone secured to his head to record the incident, including the moments leading up to the alleged attack.

The footage then became shaky as the student ran towards a classroom, where the attack allegedly took place.

The phone appeared to fall off during the ensuing commotion, causing the livestream to go black, although screams could still be heard in the background. — The Borneo Post