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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Alexandra Rucki

Students were warned of a 'terror attack' and told college was closed - after a teacher's email account was hacked

College bosses are investigating after somebody hacked into a teacher's email account and sent messages to thousands of students telling them school was closed for the day and warning about a 'terror attack'.

Loreto College, in Hulme, confirmed they are working with police after the emails were received last night and in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Students first received an email claiming the sixth form college will be shut on Thursday due to a gas leak and teachers will email work to do at home.

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However, teacher's responded by sending an email to say this is not the case.

The emails continued back and forth, until another email sent from a teacher's account said the college has been declared a 'terrorist premises' and an 'attack is imminent'.

It said the college will be shut for the next three days as a result.

Another email said: "Hi students, in the upcoming week we will be receiving a visit from the man himself, Hitler.

"This is why we emailed as a gas leak, as we are unsure of his mental status, as a precaution. Please bring a gas mask in, just in case he tried anything dodgy, thank you. Sincerely, Blue Power Ranger."

Other messages were abusive towards individual students and said: "These people need to be named and shamed.

"If you see these people around college you have Loreto's full support to upper cut them."

They also included the individual student's Instagram account pages.

The final email was sent just after 2.30am this morning and suggested there would be a fight between 'L6 and U6'.

Students then received a text message from the college confirming classes will be taking place on Thursday.

The message said: "Please ignore any emails saying that Loreto College is cancelled tomorrow due to a gas leak."

"These are fake emails. College is open as normal tomorrow."

A statement posted on the college's website said staff are working with the police and College Network to try and find the culprit.

The statement said: "The College is aware that overnight emails have been sent to students from a currently unknown source.

"We are working with the police and College Network team to identify the source and address the situation.

"We apologise for any distress or upset this may have caused. Please be reassured that we are taking this situation very seriously.

"College is open as normal."

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