Italy: Hundreds of schools evacuated after bomb threats
Hundreds of Italian schools were evacuated on Wednesday after receiving identical bomb threat emails, causing widespread disruption and concern.
At 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, 312 Italian schools received identical emails claiming a powerful explosive device with a remote detonator had been placed in their buildings. Most affected schools were in Rome, though several other major cities also received the threats.
Coordinated Threats
Antonello Giannelli, head of the National Association of School Principals, stated it was "clearly the work of a hoaxer" trying to sow chaos. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto agreed, calling it an attempt to "sow terror" for thousands of families.
European Pattern
The threatening email was signed with the same fake name as similar messages sent to newsrooms in Bulgaria and Ireland last Friday. Some 300 schools in Northern Ireland were also affected, though it's unclear if the threats came from the same sender.
Recent hybrid attacks on supermarkets, air traffic controllers, blood banks and broadcasters across Europe have raised concerns among leaders that this may be part of a coordinated hybrid warfare campaign. France summoned the Iranian ambassador over cyberattacks causing supermarket freezers to defrost, though Tehran denied involvement.
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