Trending
Prev Story
Next Story

Suspected bomb hoax threats force fresh evacuations of Italian schools

BBC News •
November 12, 2026 • 12:39 PM
1
1 reads 0 reactions

Schools across Italy have received bomb threats for the second day in a row, sparking fresh panic and evacuations.

1 / 2
Swipe Photos

Schools across Italy have received bomb threats for the second day in a row, sparking fresh panic and evacuations.

Some 1,800 schools, from Milan in the north to Sicily in the south, reported receiving a similar threat to one that created chaos in Italy on Wednesday - even though no devices have been found anywhere.

The Italian government has advised schools that "in the absence of concrete evidence beyond the simple receipt of a mass email indicating a danger, buildings must not not be evacuated".

Schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland received threats on Wednesday, too. It is unclear whether the incidents are connected.

On Thursday morning, a bomb alert at a Calais rail station delayed international and national train services in northern France.

The latest incidents follow a series of bomb hoaxes last week against airports and airlines in a number of European countries.

Although a number of threats were claimed by an extremist misogynistic group, it later denied any link to the false warnings.

Wednesday's email threat - sent to 6,300 out of a total of 7,476 Italian state schools - was said to be from a certain "Mikhail Andropov, leader of Vilayat di Misoginistan".

Some officials say it originated in Taiwan.

A similar message sent to Italian schools on Thursday, again signed by Mikhail Andropov, is said to have been sent from the account of a teacher in the Philippines whose account is believed to have been hacked.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has spoken of "a strategy intended to cause alarm and concern".

Many parents, though, are concerned and have been demanding clarity and action from the government.

La Repubblica newspaper reports that protests have been held against a decision by the headmaster of a secondary school in Rome who did not take any action, saying she had realised the threatening message to contain typos and therefore be "fake".

According to the newspaper, protesters want new national guidelines to be issued.

Prev Swipe Story Next

Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 6 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

6 Publications
Al Jazeera English
1d ago
More than 1,800 Italian schools targeted by new hoax bomb alerts

More than 1,800 Italian schools targeted by new hoax bomb alerts

The latest warnings come amid rising concerns ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠in Europe about hybrid warfare threats.

#italian #italy #bomb
Compare →
CNN International
2d ago
Hundreds of schools evacuated in Italy following bomb threats via email | CNN

Hundreds of schools evacuated in Italy following bomb threats via email | CNN

Hundreds of schools are being evacuated in Italy after bomb threats were sent via email, a spokesperson for the Italian police told CNN.

#italian #italy #bomb
Compare →
CNBC World
2d ago
Hundreds of schools in Italy, UK evacuated over 'hoax' bomb threats

Hundreds of schools in Italy, UK evacuated over 'hoax' bomb threats

Hundreds of schools across Europe were evacuated on Wednesday after receiving bomb threats, police forces say, in the latest wave of efforts to intimidate populations.

#italy #bomb #hoax
Compare →
The Age
1d ago
We blindly picked an Italian town on a map and found paradise

We blindly picked an Italian town on a map and found paradise

It took a little town on Italy’s Adriatic coast to teach me how to be present. Not bad for a place I picked with my eyes closed.

#italian #italy
Compare →
The Australian Financial Review (AFR)
2d ago
Ciao bella! The seven new luxurious Italian hotels we can’t wait to try

Ciao bella! The seven new luxurious Italian hotels we can’t wait to try

Returning to Italy in 2027? These lavish stays from palazzos to penthouses offer travellers even more reasons to linger longer.

#italian #italy
Compare →
The Guardian
4d ago
KFC’s arrival at Italian ski slopes angers food and mountain purists

KFC’s arrival at Italian ski slopes angers food and mountain purists

Fast-food outlets at two prestigious Dolomites resorts are Italy’s first, with legal action threatened

#italian #italy
Compare →

Related Stories

World News
Build #2611