Ministry summons people who urged on Facebook not to drink Skopje tap water
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is calling people for interviews after social-media claims about Escherichia coli in Skopje’s water were denied by the mayor, the water utility and the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has begun summoning people whose Facebook profiles yesterday urged residents not to drink tap water in Skopje, claiming the water contained dangerous bacteria.
Authorities say the online reports alleged the presence of Escherichia coli in the city water system, a claim that was later denied by Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski, the Public Enterprise Water Supply and Sewerage and the Ministry of Health. The denials said the drinking water in Skopje is safe.
Police probe focuses on social media posts
The Computer Crime Sector at the Ministry of Internal Affairs is taking measures to identify the accounts responsible for spreading the messages. Officials report that the profiles are being traced and those behind them are being invited to informative interviews.
“After the investigative actions are completed, we will appropriately inform the public,” the Ministry said this morning, adding that appropriate steps are being carried out. Investigators are collecting information from social networks to establish the origin and scope of the disinformation.
Police and public utilities warned that the false messages caused unnecessary fear and panic among citizens, and reiterated appeals to verify information through official channels before sharing. The Ministry said further updates will be provided when the investigative actions conclude.
Photo: press material from the event
