Messages warning of violence and unrest in schools have been circulating in chats among students in the Rimini area and have been shared further on social media. The rumours have also reached parents’ groups, fuelling concern over what might happen inside school buildings.
The messages use particularly violent language and imagery. The threats’ credibility has yet to be verified: despite their wide circulation, no concrete evidence has so far emerged to suggest any specific risk.
The Questura (police headquarters) is already aware of the messages. The Mobile Squad, Digos (the police’s intelligence and anti-terrorism unit) and the Postal Police are monitoring websites, social networks and Telegram groups to verify the information being spread. Law enforcement attention also extends to the local area and school buildings themselves.
The phenomenon is not confined to Rimini and its province. Similar messages have been reported in other Italian cities, with the same content copied and shared from one group to another.
According to the Questura’s assessment, the evidence gathered so far points mainly to alarm fuelled by the uncontrolled spread of messages on social media. Authorities remain watchful for any isolated incidents, which cannot be entirely ruled out.
At present, moreover, no notice of planned demonstrations has been received by the Questura. Checks are continuing to determine whether there is any concrete intent behind the announcements.
