Hundreds of schools across Italy, the United Kingdom and Ireland faced disruption after receiving similar bomb threat emails, prompting evacuations in parts of Europe as police launched investigations into the origin of the messages.
More than 300 schools in Italy, particularly in Rome and other major cities, were evacuated after receiving emails claiming explosives had been planted inside their buildings.
The messages reportedly described bombs equipped with remote controls and contained threats against Italian citizens and government officials.
Schools in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland also received similar warnings. However, authorities in Ireland and several parts of the UK said the threats were not considered credible and did not order widespread evacuations.
Police Investigate Threatening Emails
Scottish Education Secretary Mairi McAllan said there was no danger to the public and that specialist cybercrime officers were working to trace the source of the emails.
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She acknowledged the concerns of parents, students and school staff, saying she understood the anxiety caused by the threats.
Police Scotland said officers had assessed the warnings immediately and believed they were likely hoaxes. The force advised schools that they did not need to evacuate or keep students at home solely because of the emails.
However, some local authorities confirmed that individual schools had been evacuated as a precaution.
Threats Also Mention Italian Prime Minister
The threatening messages reportedly referred to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and claimed that a bomb had been placed in her car.
Meloni said initial security checks had found no evidence of an actual threat. She described the messages as an apparent attempt to spread fear and create public confusion.
She added that the government was closely monitoring the situation and had arranged a meeting to review developments. Investigators were examining the messages to establish their origin and purpose.
The emails reportedly opened with violent threats against Italians and claimed that powerful explosive devices had been planted in school buildings.
They were signed using the name “Mikhail Andropov, leader of the Vilayat of Misoginistan”. The same signature had reportedly appeared in recent bomb threats targeting media organisations in Ireland and Bulgaria.
European Authorities Examine Possible Links
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said he would address Parliament about the incidents and broader security concerns.
He warned that threatening emails could easily target schools, daycare centres and airlines, creating widespread fear even when no actual explosive devices were present.
The incidents have raised concerns about cybercrime and coordinated campaigns intended to disrupt public services and spread panic.
European security officials have also considered possible foreign involvement, including potential links to Russia or Iran. However, no publicly confirmed evidence has established responsibility for the threats.
Investigators have yet to determine whether the messages were part of a single coordinated operation or separate incidents. Security agencies across the affected countries continue to examine the emails and assess potential risks.
