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Italy schools face nationwide false bomb threats
At least 50 educational institutions across Italy were targeted by threatening emails on Monday, October 19. The messages, which used a sender name appearing to belong to the Saudi Ministry of Education, claimed that explosive devices containing ammonium nitrate (ANFO) had been placed in buildings. The threats also included claims of planned terrorist attacks and the intent to establish Sharia law.
In Arezzo, the Vasari middle school was evacuated, with approximately 600 students and staff moved to a nearby park. Similar threats were reported in the Veneto region, affecting provinces including Padua, Verona, and Vicenza, as well as in Calabria, where schools in Cotronei, Polistena, and Villa San Giovanni were targeted. In Lucca, eleven schools were evacuated as a precaution.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Carabinieri and Polizia di Stato, conducted searches at the targeted locations, but no explosives were found. Authorities have characterized the incidents as false alarms intended to cause panic. Investigations are ongoing to identify the authors of the communications.
Entities
Alberto Stefani · Arezzo · Carabinieri · Italy · Oriani institute · Oriani institute · Polizia Postale · Polizia di Stato · Saudi Ministry of Education · Vasari middle school · Vasari middle school · Veneto
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Vasari middle school in Arezzo evacuated approximately 600 people. www.vocedellascuola.it · www.versiliatoday.it · www.notizie.it
- [● 7 SOURCES] False bomb threats targeted schools across Italy on Monday, October 19. www.vocedellascuola.it · www.fanpage.it · www.versiliatoday.it · www.notizie.it · livesicilia.it · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Threats in the Veneto region were reportedly delivered via email. www.vocedellascuola.it
- [● 7 SOURCES] No explosives were found at any of the targeted locations. www.vocedellascuola.it · www.fanpage.it · ildispaccio.it · www.secondopianonews.it · livesicilia.it · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Oriani institute in San Pietro a Patierno experienced a false alarm. www.fanpage.it · www.ilfattovesuviano.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least 50 educational institutions across Italy were targeted by the threatening emails. ildispaccio.it · www.secondopianonews.it · livesicilia.it
- [● 4 SOURCES] The threatening messages claimed that terrorist attacks would be carried out and that Sharia law would be established. ildispaccio.it · www.secondopianonews.it · livesicilia.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] The threatening email used a sender name that appeared to belong to the Saudi Ministry of Education. ildispaccio.it · www.secondopianonews.it · livesicilia.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] The threatening email claimed that an explosive device containing ammonium nitrate (ANFO) was placed in the buildings. www.secondopianonews.it · livesicilia.it · ildispaccio.it