Wave of bomb threats target Irish media outlets and more European flights
The latest spate of threats comes just days before a meeting of the European Political Community in Dublin.
DUBLIN – Several of Ireland's top media organizations are facing bomb threats, almost certainly linked to next week's European Political Community (EPC) summit in Dublin, according to a government official. Newsrooms at Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, Virgin Media TV, the Irish Independent newspaper and Newstalk radio received identical emails on Friday claiming bombs had been left inside their offices.
Three newsrooms were evacuated, disrupting broadcasts, while Virgin staff kept flights running. Police found no suspicious devices. The government official said the timing of these threats is expected due to Dublin hosting the EPC meeting, which is the biggest event of the EU presidency. The government also noted that similar threats have targeted dozens of airlines this week, including Irish carriers Ryanair and Aer Lingus, as well as supermarket refrigeration systems in seven European countries.
Responsibility for the threats remains unknown, but the government stated it appears to be a coordinated campaign of disruption. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described the bomb threats against flights as an attempt at "hybrid aggression and war in some psychological way." Airline CEO Luis Gallego said the perpetrators aim to create chaos and disruption at airports.
Hungarian Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi confirmed fighter jets were scrambled in response to bomb threats against three civilian passenger aircraft. Prague Airport reported nine flights targeted by bomb threats, while France reported four threats against aircraft over its territory. Bulgaria also reported two flights targeted by bomb threats.
Aviation professionals emphasized that no threat should be underestimated, urging airlines to treat all bomb threats with maximum security measures. The Irish government official suggested the sudden increase in threats against airlines, supermarkets, and now news outlets could be timed to heighten tensions ahead of the EPC summit on Thursday.
Irish police Superintendent Liam Geraghty emphasized that the situation poses an unprecedented security challenge for Ireland, noting that no such policing and security operation has been required before.
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