On 9 October 2026, lessons were cancelled in all primary schools in the municipality of Wyszków, in the Masovian Voivodeship, following two knife attacks on educational establishments. Over the course of two days, a 37-year-old school employee was killed in the region, and at least 11 other people were injured. Against the backdrop of these tragedies, reports spread on social media about the alleged planning of new mass attacks, dubbed «Bloody Friday». There were even rumours of 60 potential victims, but the Polish police emphasised that there is no evidence to support the existence of such a plan. Law enforcement officers have stepped up patrols around schools, are monitoring online posts and are investigating possible links between the recent incidents.
Briefly about the main points
- On 9 October, lessons in primary schools in the Vyshkuv community were cancelled.
- On 8 October, a 15-year-old boy killed a school employee.
- Yesterday in Ostrolenka, a gunman injured nine people.
- Rumours about «Bloody Friday» have been circulating on social media.
- Law enforcement agencies have stepped up security at educational establishments.
Classes have been cancelled in Poland following a fatal attack on a school
Decision on temporary the closure of primary schools in the Vyshkov community was issued by the Voivode of Mazovia Mariusz Frankowski on Thursday, 8 October. The restrictions were introduced on Friday, 9 October, following a fatal attack in the village of Leshchidul-Noviny, situated near Vyshkov.
The decision applies to state and private primary schools in the local area. Some schools are providing childcare for children whose parents are unable to keep them at home. There is no nationwide decision to close all Polish schools.
At the same time, lessons have been cancelled or switched to online learning in a number of other towns and villages in the Masovian Voivodeship. The restrictions have affected individual schools in Pultusk, Mińsk Mazowiecki, Piaseczno and other localities. In Warsaw, the city authorities did not recommend a general closure of educational establishments, but instead stepped up safety measures.
Clarification: The Polish police reported that the decision to cancel classes in Wyszków had been taken even before the widespread rumours about «Bloody Friday» began to circulate.
A 37-year-old woman working at a school near Vyshkov has died
The tragedy, which led to tighter security measures, took place on the morning of 8 October at a primary school in the village of Leszczydół-Nowiny, approximately 50 kilometres north-east of Warsaw. According to Polish law enforcement authorities, a 15-year-old former pupil, armed with knives, entered the school. The teenager attacked school staff, fatally wounding a 37-year-old woman. Despite the resuscitation attempts, she could not be saved.
Whilst attempting to stop the attacker, the school headteacher, Krzysztof Ochmański, and one of the teachers were injured. The headteacher managed to subdue the teenager before the police arrived. The police detained the suspect and seized items that may be relevant to the investigation. In particular, they are examining his mobile phone and other electronic devices to establish the motives behind the attack.
The teenager had a camera attached to his helmet. Investigators are checking whether he intended to film the attack, but no definitive conclusions have been reached on this matter.
Nine people were injured in Ostrolenka yesterday
The fatal attack near Vyshkov was preceded by another incident. On 7 October in the town of Ostrolenka A 19-year-old student at Vocational College No. 4 attacked people with a knife on the school premises. Nine people were injured: five pupils, two teachers and two members of the public. The attacker himself was also injured, which is why some initial reports put the number of casualties at ten.
The suspect was arrested shortly after the attack. On 8 October, the public prosecutor’s office announced that charges had been brought against him, including attempted murder. Law enforcement agencies are continuing to establish the motives behind his actions and to investigate the circumstances surrounding the planning of the attack.
Separately, in the town of Serpets, the police detained a 17-year-old teenager who, according to the investigation, had spoken of his intention to harm people at school. Two knives were seized from him, and search queries related to the planning of a violent attack were found on his mobile phone. Thanks to a report from teachers, the police intervened before another tragedy could occur.
Where did the rumours about «Bloody Friday» and 60 victims come from?
Following the attacks, posts began circulating widely on Polish social media alleging a coordinated campaign of violence in educational institutions. In private groups Facebook and Messenger They discussed the possibility of further attacks on Friday, 9 October. Some users claimed that the attackers might have been taking part in a joint online challenge.
One of the pupils told Polsat News about messages in which there was mention of the alleged planned deaths of 60 people. She herself emphasised that she did not know whether these claims were true.
The Polish police have found no evidence of an organised plan for attacks or an online challenge known as «Bloody Friday». The police are investigating the reports but are urging members of the public not to spread unconfirmed rumours, which are fuelling panic amongst parents and children.
The police inspected 15,000 schools and arrested 19 people
Amid public concern, the Polish authorities have launched a large-scale operation to improve security at educational establishments. According to the latest figures from the Minister of the Interior Marcin Kervinsky, by midday on 9 October, around 24,000 police officers had been deployed for the events, visiting 15,000 schools.
Law enforcement officers have detained 19 young people, mainly due to threats circulating online. Among the cases investigated by the police were posts containing images of knives, threats made to classmates and videos containing statements about possible attacks.
Minister for Education Barbara Nowacka reported that, in total, 59 schools were closed in Poland on 9 October, mainly in the Masovian Voivodeship. In some other schools, lessons continued, but a significant proportion of parents decided to keep their children at home. In Ostrołęka, for example, school attendance stood at only around 25%.
The Polish Government has instructed the authorities to step up patrols near educational establishments and to check staff preparedness for emergencies. Particular attention is being paid to reports of potential threats and the dissemination of dangerous content on social media.
