Bangkok — More than 30 people, primarily children, were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire in a childcare center in northeastern Thailand, authorities said. Police Maj. Gen. Achayon Kraithong said the shooting occurred early in the afternoon in the center in the town of Nongbua Lamphu.
 
He said the attacker killed 30 people before taking his own life. He had no more details.
 
A spokesperson for a regional public affairs office said 26 deaths have been confirmed so far — 23 children, two teachers and one police officer.
 
According to Thai media reports, the gunman also used knives in the attack and then fled the building.
 
Photographs showed at least two bodies on the floor of the center covered in white sheets.

The Reuters news agency quoted Chakkraphat Wichitvaidya, superintendent of Na Klang police station, as telling Thai Rath TV that the attacker was a former police officer who was discharged from the force just last year. 

He said there were children as young as two among the victims.

The Daily News newspaper reported that after fleeing the scene of the attack the assailant returned to his home and killed himself along with his wife and child.