A 25-year-old man armed with a small axe killed four children when he attacked a nursery in Brazil.

At least four children between the ages of three and five are injured and have been taken to hospital.

The man has been arrested in the southern city of Blumenau in the state of Santa Catarina.

Local security chief, Marcio Alberto Filippi said that the attacker scaled a wall to enter the private nursey, named Cantinho do Bom Pastor.

President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called the attack a “monstrosity”, dubbing it an “unacceptable, absurd act of hate and cowardice” against “innocent, defenseless children” in a Twitter post.

Santa Catarina’s governor Jorginho Mello confirmed the killings in the city on his Twitter account, saying: “May God comfort the hearts of all families in this moment of deep pain.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Attacks on schools and nurseries are uncommon in Brazil but have occurred more often in recent years.

Jair Bolsonaro arrives back in Brazil where he faces several investigations

Brazil footballer Dani Alves denied bail by Spanish court while sexual assault investigation continues

Brazil: 36 people killed as heavy rain causes flooding and landslides in Sao Paulo state

Last week, a 13-year-old student in Sao Paulo stabbed a teacher, killing her, and also wounded several others.

Blumenau, a city of 366,000 people, is famous for its annual Oktoberfest festival.

Related posts:

EU regulator reviewing possible links between Johnson & Johnson jab and blood clots Husband of British woman killed in Greece burglary ‘begged robbers not to harm family’ Puppies among 15 rescue dogs shot dead by council in Australia over COVID restrictions ‘Pillar of Shame’ statue marking Tiananmen massacre torn down Vladimir Putin reinforces notion of ‘Fortress Russia’ as he takes aim at NATO EU plans Russian oil ban by the end of the year in new package of sanctions over war in Ukraine World Cup set to start a day earlier than scheduled to allow Qatar to play first ‘It was like an earthquake’: At least eight dead after ‘water bomb’ flash floods hit Italy Protests break out in Iran after 22-year-old woman dies following morality police arrest Australia and Canada are the latest to announce COVID-19 travel rules for arrivals from China Pope Francis prays for Benedict as Vatican prepares to mourn former pontiff ‘We will just live our lives’: Ukrainians insist on celebrating New Year despite curfews and missile strikes