Türkiye tightens school security measures after series of shooting incidents

Authorities in Türkiye have strengthened security measures at schools following a series of attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş, as well as a shooting incident near a school in Adana.

On April 20, unidentified individuals opened fire near Yavuz Selim Secondary School in the Gürselpaşa neighbourhood of Adana. Students fled the building in panic, while parents rushed to the scene. It was later determined that the gunfire was not directed at the school, and classes resumed shortly afterwards. Police detained seven suspects and seized two pistols and 94 rounds of ammunition. Authorities said the suspects had fired into the air during a street altercation.

In response, Turkish authorities introduced new school security regulations. Students’ movement outside school buildings during lunch breaks has been restricted. Parents are now prohibited from entering schools without prior appointment and only in emergency situations, with designated waiting areas established for them.

Metal detectors are being installed at school entrances, while inspections of bags, digital watches, and tablets have been intensified. Parents are also notified via SMS in cases of late arrivals or early departures. In addition, families have been urged to monitor their children’s online activity and limit exposure to violent content.

The measures follow earlier violent incidents, including an April 14 attack in the city of Siverek, where an armed individual opened fire outside and inside a school and took hostages, leaving at least 16 people injured. The following day, an armed eighth-grade student attacked a school in Kahramanmaraş, killing nine people and hospitalising six others.

By Jeyhun Aghazada