Hundreds of Italian schools hit by threats in suspected bomb hoax

An estimated 300 schools in Italy have been targeted by bomb threats, according to Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara. The Education Minister stated that the incidents are likely a "cyber-attack, not a genuine risk." The threats, which have also been reported in other European countries, have caused a series of evacuations and disruptions.

Valditara revealed that there appears to be a clear strategy behind these threats, which have targeted various locations such as Rome, Naples, Vicenza, Florence, Pisa, Trieste, and other Italian cities. Schools in these areas received emails warning of potential bomb attacks, prompting precautionary evacuations. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has convened a meeting of top ministers and intelligence chiefs to address the situation.

Meloni affirmed that the government is closely monitoring reports of bomb threats at educational institutions, but no evidence of "concrete danger" has been found thus far. She emphasized that these reports seem to be part of a strategy designed to instill fear and concern. Italian airports and airlines across Europe experienced a series of bomb hoaxes last week, leading to numerous scares, evacuations, and widespread disruption.

While some threats were claimed by an extremist misogynistic group, they later denied any connection to the false warnings. Italian reports indicate that 280 school principals received threats in recent days. Many schools were initially evacuated on Wednesday, but the alarm was swiftly lifted, and students were permitted to return to school.