Suspect is of Senegalese origin. The case is treated as terrorism by the Italian authorities
A bus carrying 51 children on a field trip outside Milan, Italy, was hijacked and set on fire by the driver himself. The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, the 20th, and is being treated as terrorism by Italian authorities.
Italian newspapers published the identity of the suspect. Ousseynou Sy is 47 years old and is of Senegalese origin. He left the planned route and took the children hostage before setting fire to the vehicle.
The act was an apparent protest against the treatment of migrants arriving from Africa in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Italian authorities. All the children, who studied at the same school (Valiati di Crema), were unharmed.
Milan Police spokesman Marco Palmieri said Ousseynou shouted “Stop the deaths at sea, I will carry out a massacre”. According to police, he had already been convicted of sexual abuse and drunk driving.
The parents of one of the children, who were able to contact him by phone, called the police. The students had to be removed through the bus windows.
The victims were taken to a local hospital but are in stable condition.
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