Vietnam Police Deny School Attack Hoax, Urge Caution on Viral Information

Police in Ba Ria ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have stated that information circulating on social media about a violent incident at a school is "not true," according to domestic media reports. Authorities confirmed that no such incident occurred within their jurisdiction. Previously, a video, allegedly from a security camera, was shared on social media depicting a male student wielding a weapon and attacking several classmates, causing injuries. This video was claimed to have occurred on September 4th at a high school in Ba Ria ward. By September 5th, it had widely spread across platforms like Threads, causing anxiety among many users. Some shared information claimed four people had died and ten were injured, with the perpetrator identified as a 7th-grade student acting on "game instructions." However, Ba Ria ward police have denied the incident and strongly urged the public "not to post or spread unverified videos and information." The authorities also indicated they are investigating social media accounts that allegedly disseminated false information. Meanwhile, some users on social media suggest the incident may have occurred in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City, rather than Ba Ria. In Vietnam, while information control exists under the one-party system, the spread of information has also accelerated with the proliferation of social media. In such contexts, misinformation and hoaxes can stir social unrest. Authorities are calling for calm and urging citizens to verify information from reliable sources. Source: BBC Vietnamese