A student was killed and at least three others injured in a stabbing at the Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides school in Nantes, western France, on Thursday.

The attacker, reportedly restrained by a teacher, was arrested at the scene.

The school, which has around 2,000 students, was evacuated, and a heavy police and emergency presence was deployed.

Officials including France’s education and interior ministers are visiting the site.

Local leaders expressed shock and grief, while families gathered anxiously outside as students were gradually released, the BBC has reported.

A press conference by the prosecutor is expected later.

Written by B.C. Begley