Nearly 6,300 schools in Italy received bomb threats via email, prompting the rapid evacuation of students to safe locations. Similar emails originating from foreign sources were also sent to schools in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This incident marks the latest in a series of cyberattacks and threats targeting supermarkets, blood banks and broadcast media across Europe in recent times.

Emergency Response

Following the alerts, schools in Italy were quickly closed, causing widespread panic among parents. A copy of the verified message, reviewed by Reuters, also contained a threat targeting the country's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. However, Meloni stated that there is no significant risk and that security agencies are monitoring the situation.

Source of the Threat

The emails were signed by a self-proclaimed fictional leader named 'Mikhail Andropov'. The threats come amid heightened security measures in European countries due to their support for Ukraine. Jugantor reported that 300 schools were evacuated in Italy, while Prothom Alo's report mentioned threats to 6,300 schools.

Investigation and Next Steps

Security agencies have launched investigations to trace the source of the threats. Italy's Prime Minister has assured the public that the situation is under control and that necessary measures are being taken to maintain normalcy. The incident has reignited concerns over cybersecurity across Europe.