Polish schools close over fears of a so-called “Bloody Friday” after two knife attacks
After two knife attacks at Polish schools within days, social media warnings have spread about possible coordinated attacks on 9 October. Some schools in the Masovian Voivodeship have cancelled classes, and police have stepped up patrols.
In Poland's Masovian Voivodeship, the administrative region around Warsaw, some schools have cancelled classes because warnings about possible coordinated attacks on students on 9 October have spread on social media. Some users call the date “Bloody Friday”. The warnings appeared after two knife attacks at schools within a few days.
Two school attacks
According to the news outlet Nexta, on the morning of 8 October a 15-year-old former pupil attacked people with a knife at a primary school in Leszczydół-Nowiny, near Warsaw. A 37-year-old school employee was killed. The school's principal and a teacher who tried to stop the attacker suffered injuries that are not life-threatening.
The day before, on 7 October, a 19-year-old man carried out a knife attack at a school in Ostrołęka. Ten people were hurt, including the attacker himself.
Another attack averted
Police also prevented a possible attack in Sierpc, where they detained a 17-year-old carrying two knives. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the teenager had searched online for information on carrying out a bloody attack.
Security measures
Following these events, warnings about possible coordinated attacks on 9 October began circulating on social media. Nexta reports that classes have been cancelled in parts of the Masovian region, parents have been advised to keep children at home, and schools have increased police presence and restricted access for strangers.
Polish authorities are urging parents to stay calm and follow official information.
