At 10 AM local time on Wednesday, 312 schools in Italy received a similar email stating: "A powerful explosive device with a remote detonator is located in your building." These threats primarily affected schools in Rome, but several other major cities received the same message.
Response from Italian Officials
Antonello Giannelli, president of the National Association of School Principals, described the act as "clearly the work of a prankster" trying to create chaos. Italy's Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, also emphasized that these threats are designed to "spread fear" among thousands of families.
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Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting
The Italian Prime Minister's Office, led by Giorgia Meloni, confirmed that the cabinet will hold an extraordinary meeting this afternoon. Meloni stated in a social media announcement: "The government is closely monitoring multiple reports of bomb threats in schools. Law enforcement agencies and government institutions at all levels are working to oversee the situation and reassure citizens, families, and school staff."
She added: "Currently, based on the investigations conducted, there is no evidence to suggest that a real threat exists. Rather, these reports seem to be part of a strategy to create alarm." The threat sent to Italian schools was signed with the same fake name as similar messages sent to newsrooms in Bulgaria and Ireland.
About 300 schools in Northern Ireland were also affected, although it is unclear whether these threats came from the same sender. Recent hybrid attacks on supermarkets, air traffic controllers, blood banks, and media across Europe have raised concerns among leaders that this may be part of a coordinated effort for hybrid warfare.
On Tuesday, France summoned the Iranian ambassador over cyberattacks that caused freezers in supermarkets to melt, but Tehran has denied any involvement. Crosetto also warned against hasty conclusions, stating: "This is not always the work of foreign countries or hostile entities. Some individuals are simply seeking attention or trying to create chaos."
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