Brazilian police free 13 children held hostage at Curitiba preschool

Brazilian police freed 13 children held by a man threatening them with a knife and arson at a municipal preschool in Curitiba. The attacker died during the police intervention, Associated Press and RBC reported.

The man entered CMEI São Braz in the São Braz neighbourhood and held children and staff. Police spokeswoman Leticia Martins told AP that he threatened to pour petrol on himself and others. Negotiators tried to secure the hostages’ release.

RBC, citing Folha de S.Paulo, reported that the man carried a knife, a replica firearm and flammable liquid. The newspaper said the children were aged four and five and that negotiations lasted about three hours.

Police commander Alexandre Lopes Dias told Folha that officers decided to intervene when the man began using violence against the children. All the hostages were freed after police entered the room.

The injury accounts differ. AP relayed a statement from local authorities that no children were injured. Folha reported that five were sent for medical examinations and that one child had a facial injury. Examination and confirmed injury are distinct circumstances, so those reports cannot be combined into a single final casualty count.

Curitiba city hall said the children and staff would receive psychological support. AP reported the announcement as part of the assistance following the hostages’ release.