Nine killed, 20 injured in school shooting in southern Turkey

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least nine people, including children, were killed and 20 others were injured in a school shooting in the Kurdish province of Kahramanmaras in southern Turkey, the local governor said on Wednesday.

Among the dead were a teacher and three students, Governor Mukerrem Unluer said, according to state-run Anadolu Agency.

"An 8th-grade student, carrying weapons in his backpack, entered two classrooms where students were present and opened fire indiscriminately, causing deaths and injuries. Unfortunately, we have four fatalities. One of them was a teacher, and three were students. We also have 20 injured, four of whom are currently undergoing surgery and are believed to be in critical condition. Our efforts continue," he added. 

However later in the day, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that the death toll rose to nine, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.

The shooting targeted Ayser Calik school. 

Turkish police have launched an investigation into the incident, and no arrests have been made so far.

The shooting came a day after 16 people were injured in a separate school attack in the Kurdish province of Sanliurfa (Riha). The assailant in that incident died by suicide at the scene.

Updated at 3:24 pm