Timeline: Attacks on children

Some of the Wasserbillig children have been released

The hostage-taking at Wasserbillig in Luxembourg is the latest in a string of violent incidents involving schoolchildren which have taken place throughout Europe in recent years.

13-15 May 1993: Neuilly-sur-Seine, France A hooded gunman holds 21 children aged three and four to ransom, threatening to blow up their school building. The gunman is shot dead by police

3 February 1994: Sukhodolsk, Ukraine
Two children and two adults are abducted, driven across the border to Russia, and held to ransom. They are later released unharmed.

5 December 1995: Vladikavkaz, Russia
Children are taken hostage at an infant school - four die as grenades are detonated.

13 March 1996: Dunblane, UK
A gunman kills 16 children aged between four and six, and their teacher, in a school gymnasium. The attacker then kills himself.

8 July 1996: Wolverhampton, UK

Lisa Potts: Heroine of the Wolverhampton attack

A man attacks young children and teachers with a machete during a school picnic. Seven people, including two children, are seriously injured - nurse Lisa Potts later receives a medal for her bravery in confronting the attacker.

15 May 2000: Hjelmeland, Norway
Man takes 25 children and several employees hostage, demanding the return of his children who had been taken into care while he awaited trial in a rape case. Hostages released unharmed

31 May 2000: Wasserbillig, Luxembourg
A man with a history of mental problems, armed with two grenades and a pistol, takes 28 children and teachers hostage, demanding to be flown to Libya.