◆1 source
For weeks, Europe has received threatening emails and bomb notifications signed by someone using the name Mikhail Andropov. The messages included the warning, “This is only a small part of what Europe is facing,” and led to school evacuations and rerouted flights. It remains unclear who is behind the name or who might have an interest in the threats.
3 sources
More than 6,000 Italian schools received bomb threats on the first day, and more than 1,800 schools received further threats the following day. Police found no explosives, and the Education Ministry said there was no evidence that schools were in danger and advised them to resume lessons. Schools that consider a threat credible can submit additional information to local authorities for a new risk assessment; municipalities can order evacuations if necessary. Some schools were evacuated while police examined the reports. A single report said the emails had been sent from servers in the Philippines, were signed “Mikhail Andropov,” and are being investigated under the coordination of a specialist anti-terrorism unit at the public prosecutor’s office. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said no concrete threat had been found.
11 sources
Schools in Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom received emailed bomb threats. In Italy, Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara initially said 300 schools had been evacuated; the Education Ministry later said 6,300 schools had received the threatening email. Pupils, students and staff were evacuated from at least some schools, and some Italian schools closed. Reports said schools in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland received what appeared to be the same email, although police said there was no reason to evacuate and described the messages as hoaxes. No bombs had been found, according to one report. Italian media reported that the email was signed “Mikhail Andropov,” a name also used in a threat sent to Irish media the previous week.