Thousands of schools across Europe received apparently hoax bomb threats Wednesday, prompting mass evacuations in Italy. The threatening messages were sent to at least 6,300 schools in Italy alone, as well as hundreds in Ireland and across the U.K.
There have been no reports so far of explosives or suspicious devices found at any of the schools, but investigations were continuing. The threats came less than a week after more than 20 European commercial flights got fake bomb threats, forcing many to divert.
While authorities have not assigned any blame yet for the bomb hoaxes, they are fueling growing concern about the impact of wider hybrid warfare tactics that officials and security experts say Iran and Russia are using to target Europe amid the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Read more…
Source: CBS News
Sign up for the Counter-IED Report Newsletters
The latest news and insights delivered right to your inbox
Related:
- Ukraine: Two State Emergency Service bomb disposal experts killed during demining operation in Sumy region
October 29, 2026
On October 28, in the Sumy region, two employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine were killed during a humanitarian demining operation. According to Ukrinform, this was announced by Andrii Danik, head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as reported by the State Emergency Service on Facebook. “Today, the family of rescue workers is mourning ...
- US delivers $7.9 Million in demining equipment to Ukrainian sappers
October 28, 2026
The United States has delivered a new batch of specialized demining gear valued at $7.9 million to the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine. According to the US Embassy in Ukraine, humanitarian landmine clearance directly aligns with American security and economic interests by creating safe conditions for US businesses to operate on Ukrainian territory, Hromadske reported ...
- Northern Ireland: ‘Reckless attack’ condemned after viable device delivered to hotel in Derry
October 28, 2026
Police have condemned as ‘reckless’ an attack in which a viable device was delivered to a hotel off Derry’s Ebrington Square on the same week tens of thousands are visiting the city for Europe’s largest Halloween festival. The security operation – which saw employees from several businesses in the area surrounding the public square in the ...
- Netherlands: Witnesses sought after explosion at business premises in Noordwijk
October 26, 2026
An explosion occurred at a business premises on De Scheysloot on Sunday evening, October 25. The investigation into the cause is in full swing, and the police are calling on witnesses to come forward. The explosion was reported to the police multiple times late in the evening, around 11:40 PM. Prior to the report, a loud ...
- Ukraine: Humanitarian demining restricted in six regions due to security risks
October 26, 2026
Due to security risks, the National Mine Action Authority has decided to restrict the planning of new humanitarian demining operations in six regions. This is stated in a press release from the Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian News Agency reports. The decision applies to areas suspected of being contaminated or confirmed to be contaminated in the Donetsk, ...
- Greece: Explosion injures four people in Athens
October 21, 2026
Two police officers and two members of the public were injured in an explosion at a building in central Athens, Greek police said on Wednesday. A police official who declined to be named said the explosion occurred when officers reached the building in the area of Kolonos and picked up a backpack thought to contain ...
- European Peace Facility: Council adopts assistance measure to support defence capacities of Nigeria
October 20, 2026
The Council today adopted an assistance measure worth €20 million under the European Peace Facility (EPF) in support of the armed forces of Nigeria. It is the first bilateral assistance measure for Nigeria that already benefits from EPF support as part of the multinational joint task force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad basin. The measure is ...
- Poland probes Ukrainian drone crash after Lithuania reports airspace breach
October 19, 2026
Poland has said it is examining the circumstances surrounding a Ukrainian drone carrying explosives that crashed in Lithuania, after officials in Vilnius insisted it had entered the country from Polish airspace. The drone exploded in Lithuania’s northern Pasvalys district on Sunday, damaging a civilian car. No injuries were reported. Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius said on Monday ...
- Ireland: Viable pipe bomb and two loaded guns seized by gardaí in Drogheda
October 19, 2026
Gardaí seized a viable pipe bomb and two loaded firearms in Drogheda, Co Louth, today as they continue to investigate organised crime in the area. The seizure was made after a search of land at Rathmullen Park in the town. Gardaí confirmed the seizure today and said no arrests have been made so far. Read more… Source: Independent Ireland Sign ...
- Albania: Protesters hurled rocks, petrol bombs, flares and fireworks at police in Tirana
October 17, 2026
Clashes broke out near the Albanian prime minister’s office in the capital, Tirana, on Saturday as anti-government riots entered a fifth day. Protesters hurled rocks, petrol bombs, flares and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannon and baton charges as clashes spread through the city center. The violence escalated after high school and university ...
- Netherlands: Extremely explosive Cobra 20 fireworks bombs found in Utrecht garage
October 15, 2026
Police discovered nearly 50 powerful explosive fireworks in a basement storage unit under an apartment building in Utrecht’s Overvecht district. The devices contained approximately 10 kilograms of flash powder combined and posed a significant risk to people living nearby. Police arrested the 55-year-old owner of the unit. The explosives were discovered on Tuesday during a joint ...
- British Army chef who built ‘homemade cannon’ jailed for terror-linked offences
October 15, 2026
A British Army chef who built his own “homemade cannon” while promoting extreme right-wing views has been jailed. Mark Broadhurst pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to possessing explosives and a firearms offence after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Police. The 28-year-old was arrested at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in September 2024, before police later found weapons ...
- Netherlands: Escalation in fireworks-related violence requires new security and response strategies
October 14, 2026
With more than 1,500 blast attacks each year, the Netherlands holds the unfortunate distinction of being Europe’s leader in this area.* The increase in blast attacks began in 2023 and has continued in the years since. Criminal gangs, particularly in major cities, use large, illegal fireworks to carry out attacks, motivated by extortion, retaliation and ...
- UK: Discovery of hazardous chemicals in home shuts roads
October 13, 2026
Roads remain closed near a house in north Derbyshire where hazardous chemicals “related to photography” were found. The chemicals were discovered during a house clearance at the home of the owner who died in non-suspicious circumstances, Derbyshire Police said. Officers attended Manchester Road, between Buxton and Whaley Bridge, at about 11:30 BST on Monday, the force added. The ...
- Chinese forces participate in SCO joint counterterrorism exercise in Belarus
October 10, 2026
A joint counterterrorism exercise involving competent authorities of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was held in Minsk, Belarus, from October 4 to 8, marking the first time Belarus has hosted the exercise since joining the SCO, with counterterrorism law enforcement forces from China and other member states taking part, according to a statement sent ...