Universities worldwide are not only centers of education and scientific research but also important social spaces where thousands of young people gather, exchange ideas, and shape their future. However, sometimes these environments, considered safe, become targets of terrorism and armed violence. Such tragedies not only shake a specific country but also the entire international community, bringing the issue of security in higher education institutions back to the agenda.
AzEdu.az has investigated the most high-profile and devastating terrorist incidents that have occurred in universities in various countries.
The largest terrorist act at a university level in the USA was recorded on April 16, 2007, at Virginia Tech University. This incident is considered the deadliest armed attack at a higher education institution in US history. The attacker was Seung-Hui Cho, a student at the university. He opened fire in two phases: first in a dormitory building, and then in the Norris Hall academic building.
As a result, a total of 32 people, including 27 students and 5 faculty members, were killed, and 23 people were injured. The attacker subsequently killed himself, bringing the total death toll to 33.
The Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 is cited as the largest terrorist act associated with a university environment in the United Kingdom. Although the incident did not occur directly within a university building, the significant number of university students among the dead and injured had a serious impact on the city's higher education environment.
The terrorist act occurred on May 22, 2017, in Manchester, England, after an Ariana Grande concert. The explosion, carried out by Salman Abedi, resulted in 22 deaths and over 800 people sustaining injuries of varying degrees. According to official reports, 116 of them were seriously injured.
One of the largest university-related terrorist incidents in Turkey occurred on February 17, 2008, near the main entrance gate of Istanbul University's Beyazıt campus. On that morning, an explosive device was detonated at a time when students were densely gathered, preparing to enter the university.
As a result of the incident, 17 people lost their lives, and according to official reports, 154 people were injured. The majority of the deceased were university students. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, many of whom sustained severe injuries.
In Azerbaijan, a severe armed attack occurred on April 30, 2009, at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy operating in Baku. The incident was recorded in the academy's second academic building in the morning, during the lesson process.
The armed individual entered the building and opened fire in auditoriums and corridors. The attack quickly caused panic. As a result, 12 people were killed and 13 were injured. The deceased included students and faculty members. The attacker subsequently shot himself, committing suicide.
The most severe terrorist act targeting educational institutions in Pakistan occurred on December 16, 2014, at the Army Public School and College located in Peshawar.
On that morning, armed individuals entered the school, opened fire in classrooms, and used explosive devices. The main targets during the attack were students and teachers. As a result, 145 people were killed, the majority of whom were schoolchildren. Over 150 people sustained injuries of varying degrees. The attack was carried out by the Taliban terrorist group.
In Russia, a tragic incident occurred on September 20, 2021, on the campus of Perm State University in Perm. In the morning, an 18-year-old university student began firing a weapon on the campus grounds. During the attack, students and faculty faced serious danger; some barricaded themselves in rooms and hid, while others tried to escape by jumping from windows.
As a result of the incident, 6 people were killed, and over 40 people sustained injuries of varying degrees. According to official investigations, the motive for the attack was explained by personal reasons and psychological problems; no political or religious motive was confirmed. The attacker was apprehended by the police and subsequently hospitalized.
