After the fatal attack on the way to school in Illerkirchberg, emergency counselors are on hand to support the affected families. "The point is that they get the feeling that they are not alone in these difficult hours," said the head of emergency pastoral care in Ulm/Alb-Donau-Kreis, Michael Lobenhofer, of the German Press Agency.

But also organizational matters such as a funeral service for the 14-year-old is a topic to which the three pastors on site contribute answers. "When we see that relatives and friends are taking good care of the families, we pull back." In addition, a person who saw the crime is being looked after, said Lobenhofer.

Suspect in custody

On Monday morning, a man from Eritrea is said to have attacked two girls on their way to school in Illerkirchberg, south of Ulm, and injured them so badly that a 14-year-old died. The second girl, 13 years old, was believed to have been seriously injured with a knife. The 27-year-old suspect is in custody for murder and attempted murder.

Parents and teachers also contact emergency pastoral care to find out how to deal with their shattered children. It is then important to point out that people generally live in safety in Germany, but such things happen again and again, emphasized Lobenhofer. One of the tasks of emergency pastoral care is to counteract rumors and half-truths.

If children show fear of going to school, parents should accompany them or let them walk in a group with others. Teachers should listen to cues and engage in one-on-one discussions, rather than discussing the student's death with the entire class. "You shouldn't overload the children, some don't want to hear everything," explained Lobenhofer. The school psychological service is also on duty at the school attended by the two girls.