Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s speech on the anniversary of the mass shooting at Campus Risbergska

Your Royal Highnesses,

All of you who endured the attack on Risbergska,

And all of you who lost loved ones,

Everyone knows exactly where they were, one year ago today, when the first reports reached us. And we remember the feeling of the darkness that gradually fell that day. 

Initially before we knew how serious and bad it was. And then because we really understood. 

On Tuesday the fourth of February 2025, 10 people fell victim to the worst mass shooting in our country’s history.

Every one of them had a life and a future. All of that was taken from them in a horrific act of violence. And they were taken from us, from their families and from their friends. 

One year has passed. 

One year during which you in Örebro have tried to find a way forward.  

One year during which children have been missing their mother or father, who will never again come home. 

One year marked by the unspeakable sorrow of parents who have had to bury a son or a daughter. 

And one year during which we as a country have tried to heal our wounds, wounds that will nevertheless stay with us forever. 

***

I said at the time that we bear this grief together. I understand that none of the rest of us can fully comprehend the personal pain and loss – but still: We bore it together and we bear it together. 

At 12.00 noon on 11 February last year, we all paused to honour those who were murdered, and those grieving. For a brief minute, Sweden fell silent. Many of us here today, were also here then. 

This evening we come together again to remember and honour those we have lost.

But we also honour the courage and the compassion that so many people have shown towards each other. Both on that terrible day, and during the awful time that followed. 

All of you who saved lives. And all of you who provided support when lives could no longer be saved. 

Marwa – and I don’t know if you are with us here this evening – you became the symbol for being able to do something remarkable even when your own life is at its most fragile. I know that Marwa will not want to talk up her own actions. But I also know that she has inspired others to show compassion.

And I know that this has been a difficult year – but Marwa continues to inspire others with her determination to come back to school. And remember what we said then: “It’s difficult, but let’s do it anyway.” 

***

One week after the attack, I met SOS Alarm staff who took the first calls from Risbergska. 

Some of them spent hours speaking to the victims. Staying on the line with those trapped in classrooms and passing on information to the police and emergency services – while they heard the sounds of terror in the background. I have also met police officers, medical staff, teachers, students and religious leaders. Everyone did all they could. We want to honour them this evening. 

But we also honour all those friends, neighbours and fellow human beings who have comforted and consoled. All of you who saw that someone else needed you more than you needed yourselves, and therefore did what you believed others would also do for you. You have shown us that, when terrible things happen, Sweden is an extremely thoughtful society.

To you all I want to say once again – thank you. 

In the darkest moments, you shined a light and showed the way out of the darkness. A long journey remains. But today, let us honour the memory of those we have lost by carrying the light of life forward together.