Italy Evacuates About 300 Schools After Emailed Bomb Threat
At a Glance
Italian authorities evacuated some 300 schools after an anonymous emailed bomb threat.
The threat also targeted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
It follows a series of hoax threats against European airlines and broadcasters.
Italian authorities evacuated around 300 schools across the country on Wednesday after receiving an emailed bomb threat, the latest in a string of disruptions hitting European institutions.
Key Statements and Focus Area
Meloni on the Threat: There was no indication of any "concrete danger" to Italian schools, and the threats appeared aimed at "generating alarm and concern." — Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister.
Student on the Evacuation: "They are saying it was a bomb alert because an email arrived from Russian hackers in which they said they would have killed everyone. It was pretty violent." — Anita Bartocci, 18, student at Rome's Mamiani high school.
Focus Area: The mass school evacuations in Italy and the wave of hoax threats across Europe.
Meloni said investigations were underway and that she had convened a meeting of ministers later in the day.
The anonymous email also contained a threat against her, according to copies obtained by Italian media, including the news agency LaPresse, though she did not address it in her statement.
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said 300 schools received the threats, LaPresse reported, but the ministry did not immediately confirm.
At Rome's Mamiani high school, students poured into the streets believing the alarm was the recess bell and learned of the threat only once outside.
FYI
The evacuations follow hoax bomb threats against airlines and broadcasters in recent weeks.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani revealed that his personal data had been leaked to the dark web, an incident Meloni blamed on pro-Russian hackers.
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