Italian schools face second day of bomb threats as Meloni meets leaders

Euronews reported that Italian schools received a fresh wave of emailed bomb threats on Thursday morning, causing some head teachers to evacuate classrooms while authorities carried out checks. The messages were signed with the name Mikhail Andropov, according to Euronews. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni summoned government representatives and opposition leaders to her office at Palazzo Chigi in Rome on Thursday morning to address the situation. [1]

The latest emails followed an earlier series of hoaxes. Euronews reported that 6,300 Italian schools received emails with the same name on Wednesday, which led hundreds of schools to evacuate pupils and staff. The Washington Times reported that schools in Ireland and Scotland were also threatened, while Meloni stated that cyberthreats and bomb hoaxes are intended to spread fear. [1][2][3][5]

The fresh threats follow widespread disruptions across Europe. As FTMQ News reported earlier, thousands of schools across Italy, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the broader United Kingdom received hoax bomb emails. Authorities confirmed that investigations found no real danger or explosive devices. Meloni has served as the Prime Minister of Italy since October 2022. [10][12][13]

Italian authorities are working on new government guidance to manage future incidents. Euronews reported that under the proposed guidance, a mass email alone may no longer be enough to clear out classrooms. However, centre-left opposition members stated that they will not give ministers a blank cheque regarding the changes. [1][4]