A horror attack at a college this morning has left around 20 people injured, with emergency services quickly rushing to the scene to provide assistance and manage the situation.

The incident occurred at around 10am local time at Humboldtstraße vocational college in the Perlengraben area of Cologne, Germany, where pepper spray was reportedly used. Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, and police believe that the spray may have been released by multiple individuals, leading to the situation being treated as a serious attack. Both teachers and students were reportedly affected by the pepper spray attack, leaving multiple people injured. 

Police believe several individuals may have been involved and are now actively searching for suspects as investigations continue into the incident.

At first, reports suggested that six people had been injured in the incident, but German authorities later confirmed that the number of victims was much higher.

Those affected experienced sudden breathing difficulties and irritation to their eyes, with several requiring hospital treatment to manage their symptoms.

“According to initial witness statements, several unknown individuals sprayed pepper spray in the school hallways around 10am. and then fled,” a police spokesperson confirmed shortly before 1 pm, reports Express.de. The Criminal Investigation Department 51 has launched an investigation into the perpetrators and the background of the incident.

A spokesperson for the Cologne fire department said: “Upon arrival, emergency services confirmed the reported situation. Fifty students and teachers from two classes were examined by paramedics.”

This latest incident highlights growing concerns about safety in Cologne’s schools, as it comes less than a month after another case of pepper spray misuse at the European School in Cologne-Zollstock.

In that attack, one student reportedly discharged pepper spray after claiming to have been assaulted by classmates, which quickly escalated the situation.

The chemical spray caused breathing difficulties and eye irritation among several pupils, leading to nine children aged between 12 and 14 being taken to hospital for treatment.