Italy's schools face emailed bomb threats; government urges calm
Around 1,800 schools across Italy received new bomb-threat emails on 12 Nov, after roughly 6,000 schools were sent threats on 11 Nov. The government has told schools not to evacuate immediately without concrete danger, leaving decisions to local prefects, and some schools evacuated while others carried out checks with pupils kept in class. The messages are signed by a supposed leader of a pro-Russian group, Mikhail Andropov, and Rome prosecutors have opened an anti-terrorism investigation. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said police checks found nothing in any schools. French President Emmanuel Macron said there were not enough elements to attribute the threats to foreign powers.
Key facts
- The threats follow cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems and fake bomb alerts for flights in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.
- European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier called threats against civilians unacceptable and said Brussels is following the situation closely.
- The personal data of officials, including Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, was published on the dark web.
Summarised with AI from 5 sources · Updated 14:41Read our AI policy
Why it matters
Schools across Italy face repeated disruption, and the government has changed its evacuation guidance.
What changed
Summary updated
Summary updated
First published from ANSA English, The Straits Times, Anadolu Agency, The Jerusalem Post and Hindustan Times