Nineteen middle school students were injured in a challenge on TikTok.

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At least 19 middle school students in the city of Jakova, located in the southwest of Kosovo, have reportedly injured themselves while participating in a challenge on the Chinese social media platform TikTok.

INVESTIGATION INITIATED

Kosovo Police Jakova Region Spokesperson Sheremet Elezaj stated to AA correspondent that 19 students injured themselves at different times following reports made between October 7-9. Elezaj noted that an investigation has been launched for incitement to suicide and that the investigation will continue, indicating that the number of injured may increase.

THEY INJURED THEMSELVES WITH CUTTING TOOLS

Eranda Kumnova Baçi, the Education Director of Jakova Municipality, stated in a press release that the students in question are middle school students. Kumnova Baçi noted that after reports from families, checks on the students' phones revealed photos related to a challenge on the Chinese social media platform TikTok, where they injured their hands with cutting tools.

USE IN STATE INSTITUTIONS IS PROHIBITED

Kumnova Baçi reported that the students' health conditions are good and emphasized that they are continuing checks to identify other students who may harm themselves due to challenges. Meanwhile, the Kosovo government had decided in June to prohibit the installation, use, and operation of the Chinese social media platform TikTok in state institutions with the aim of "increasing cybersecurity."