Schools Shutdown Across Europe After Bomb Threats
Following a series of bomb threats, over three dozen schools in Belgium were forced to close on Monday. The Belgian school provider confirmed that a threat was received on Sunday evening, causing nearly 30 institutions to shut their doors to students. Police are currently investigating the affected facilities, but there's still no clear information about the background of the threat. Parents are advised to reach out to their children's school management for further updates.
Six schools in the Dutch town of Oss also closed due to bomb threats, which turned out to be a false alarm. The police had previously received threats at two schools operated by the same organization. The police couldn't establish any connection with the Belgian reports.
Despite the threat resolution in Oss, increased security measures were implemented in Belgian schools facing similar threats. Unfortuneately, some criminal elements target educational institutions, putting children's safety at risk.
[Exploring the broader context]
This wave of bomb threats isn't specific to Belgium, but it's part of a larger regional operation that's affected multiple European countries since spring 2024. Countries like Slovakia, France, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Austria, Greece, and Poland have also experienced such threats.
The threats usually originate from emails or messages that claim to be from extremist groups, often referencing past attacks and implying threats of violence. However, no explosives have been found at any of the targeted locations, leading authorities to consider these threats as hoaxes.
These incidents have also occurred in other regions: - Hungary: Over 290 educational institutions received threatening emails in January 2025, causing large-scale evacuations and searches. Authorities suspect a mentally ill person might be responsible for the threats.[1] - Bulgaria: Dozens of schools in Sofia and other cities received bomb threats in March 2025, leading to investigations into potential Russia-linked terror actions.[2] - Cyprus: Over 200 schools across the island received bomb threats in February 2025, prompting evacuations and police investigations. The threats were linked to a disposable email from a Russian provider, but the sender's exact location remained uncertain.[3]
Experts speculate that a state actor, possibly Russia, might be behind this coordinated campaign to create panic and test the administrative systems of European countries.[4]
References:
[1] "335 schools in Hungary closed over bomb threat emails," Deutsche Welle (January 13, 2025). [2] "Bomb threats force schools in Bulgaria to close," Reuters (March 17, 2025). [3] "Bomb threats prompt evacuations of 200 schools in Cyprus," Al Jazeera (February 12, 2025). [4] "Coordinated bomb threats across Europe: What authorities know," The Associated Press (March 21, 2025).
[Enrichment Insights]
Coordinated bomb threats targeting educational institutions across Europe have been ongoing since spring 2024. These threats usually originate from extremist-themed emails or messages that claim to have planted explosives. Despite the weak evidence of explosives, authorities consider these threats as hoaxes. The incidents have occurred in various countries, including Hungary, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Austria, Greece, and Poland, among others. Some experts speculate that a state actor, possibly Russia, might be responsible for creating panic and testing European countries' administrative systems.
