On Saturday morning 27 December, a 21‑year‑old Warsaw resident reported a man in the Motława River, prompting Gdańsk police and fire crews to conduct a search that ultimately turned out to be a false alarm.
Incident Reported
Police received a call on 27 December that a man had been seen in the Motława River in central Gdańsk. The caller, who claimed a second man was also in the water, described the situation as a potential life‑threatening emergency.
Search Operations
Patrols from the water police unit and the fire department were dispatched to the riverbank to locate the alleged individuals. The operation was classified as a possible danger to life at the outset.
Verification and Monitoring
Concurrent with the river search, officers at the Śródmieście Police Station began validating the incident. They reviewed city surveillance footage and investigated the Motława area, as stated by Deputy Inspector Magdalena Ciska.
Outcome and Legal Implications
By about 9:50 a.m., the search concluded with officers determining that the two men were actually in a rented apartment, fully healthy, and no incident had taken place in the river. The reporting 21‑year‑old, under the influence of alcohol, was transported to an emergency facility for the intoxicated and will be questioned after sobering. Police warned that he may face charges for creating a false alarm, punishable by up to eight years’ imprisonment under current regulations.
