On Thursday, October 16 police in Warsaw’s Praga‑Południe district secured an unknown substance and arrested a Polish citizen after a man fled a vegetation patch where smoke was seen.
A Smoked Veil Detected
At the afternoon of Thursday, October 16, a witness at the intersection of Makowska and Podolska streets noticed smoke rising from a nearby wooded area. An unfamiliar substance was burning there, prompting alarm.
The witness reported the sighting and observed a man present at the scene who immediately fled into the trees.
Man Fled and was Caught
The witness pursued the fleeing man, detained him, and promptly notified the police.
Police officers arrived, detained the suspect, and secured the scene.
Specialists Secured the Substance
The arrested individual was identified as a Polish citizen. Emergency and counter‑terrorism units—including pirotechnicians from the Independent Counter‑Terror Unit—were dispatched to assess and secure the object containing the unknown substance.
The area was cordoned off with tape, monitored by police, and assisted by fire‑rescue teams during containment operations.
Investigations Will Follow
The recovered material will be sent to the Central Criminal Laboratory for analysis; its composition will be known only after laboratory testing.
Police are examining the origin of the substance and the role the detained man played in the incident.
No Evidence of Sabotage Yet
Preliminary, unofficial assessments suggest the event is not linked to sabotage. Investigations into the substance’s nature and the suspect’s involvement continue.
