"Every death of a young person - especially during a summer holiday - is a profound tragedy for their family and friends. I extend my deepest condolences to them and to the entire scouting community in Poland," Education Minister Barbara Nowacka wrote on her profile on X (formerly Twitter).
Scout's deadly challenge in the dark
A teenage scout drowned overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, 24 July, in Lake Ośno near the village of Wilcze in western Poland.
Around 1 a.m., in total darkness, the 15-year-old was tasked with swimming roughly half a kilometre across the lake - fully dressed in uniform and wearing heavy boots - and then lighting a campfire upon reaching the shore. He disappeared beneath the surface while attempting to complete the challenge.
Supervisors overseeing the task remained on the dock and reportedly panicked when the boy vanished. The boat they used during the rescue effort was not equipped with any lifesaving gear. His body was recovered several hours later, after emergency services from outside were called in.
Scout leaders face up to five years in prison over fatal training task
Two individuals have been detained in connection with the incident: 21-year-old scout troop leader Marek G. and 19-year-old lifeguard Igor K.
According to the District Prosecutor’s Office in Poznań, western Poland, the men face up to five years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and endangering others. Investigators are also looking into whether the boy’s parents were informed that their son would be taking part in such a demanding nighttime activity.
Promising young scout mourned for academic brilliance
An autopsy of the 15-year-old, named Dominik, was underway Friday morning. He was a student at the Second High School (II Liceum Ogólnokształcące) in Świdnica, in south-western Poland.
In a message shared on social media, the school expressed its deep sorrow, describing Dominik as an exceptionally talented student who had won multiple academic competitions - including being a finalist in the Polish Geometry Championships and a laureate of the Lower Silesian Literary Contest.
Odszedł nasz uczeń. Z głębokim smutkiem żegnamy Dominika Muszewskiego z klasy 1A – utalentowanego, pełnego pasji...
Opublikowany przez II Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Świdnicy Czwartek, 24 lipca 2025
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Source: IAR/Facebook.com/IILOSwidnica/X/@Prok_Okreg_POZ