Several schools in Balen (Antwerp Province) remain closed today after a teenager threatened to commit an outrage. The threat of an attack by was made anonymously via social media channel TikTok. Police raided premises last night and managed to identify the culprit, a young girl of 11 or 12 years of age.
The Mayor of Balen has confirmed that police raided the home of a minor overnight. It’s thought that the threat of an attack against the school was made by pupils at the schools involved. Tensions among pupils have been on the rise in recent weeks and according to one school those behind the threats launched on TikTok have also been involved in online pestering targeting one particular class. In a TikTok post the girl threatend to unleash a shooting at one of the primary schools.
Mayor Leysen says the threat of an attack has now been neutralised, but the decision to close the school today, taken in consultation with school leaders is not being revisited. Pupils at the schools concerned are receiving support from a team of psychologists. Any pupils, who do turn up today, will be taken care of.