Hundreds of schools in UK and Europe hit with email bomb threat

Around 300 schools have been evacuated in Italy on Wednesday, after they all received the same bomb alert message.

Italian Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara told local news that the number of schools impacted could rise.

“Following ‌a nationwide bomb alert, we wish to inform you that all students ⁠have been taken to a safe area and remain under the supervision of teaching staff," one school in Rome informed parents.

The email was signed "Mikhail Andropov, leader of the Vilayat of Misoginistan," according to a government source with knowledge of the matter. This is the same purported author who claimed responsibility ‌for email bomb threats ⁠sent on Friday to newsrooms in ⁠Ireland and Bulgaria.

Italian police forces ⁠are investigating the matter, a spokesperson for ‌Rome ​police said.

The large number of schools affected "demonstrates how little credibility the threat has", Valditara argued.

The security alert came amid rising concerns in Europe about so-called hybrid warfare ⁠threats which ​have targeted supermarkets, ⁠blood banks, air traffic and TV broadcasters in recent weeks.

In Northern Ireland, police are conducting inquires after threatening emails were also sent to hundreds of schools on Wednesday.

The Education Authority (EA) said the email has similarities to hoax threats sent to up to 300 schools across the region last month.

“At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of any credible threat to schools,” the EA said. “Investigations are continuing. It is for PSNI to determine the credibility or otherwise of any such message.

The Department of Education advised schools to remain open "unless otherwise advised by the PSNI".

On Wednesday, Police Scotland said "threatening messages were sent to a number of schools in Scotland and across and the UK".

It added that the messages were “immediately assessed” and are being treated as hoaxes.

"We fully appreciate that any message of this nature is distressing and can assure schools, parents/carers and children and young people that we will provide a further update following engagement with police,” the EA added.

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