Bomb threats force evacuations of schools across Italy

A wave of email bomb threats, signed 'Mikhail Andropov', led to evacuations of schools in Rome and other Italian cities. Reports vary on the number of schools affected and whether the threats also targeted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

A wave of bomb threats in Italy: schools in Rome and other cities were evacuated this morning (Wednesday) after receiving emails about explosive devices. In Rome, students and staff were evacuated from several institutions in the Appio-Tuscolano neighborhood, including elementary schools and kindergartens. Evacuations were also reported in Savona and the Veneto region. Police and bomb disposal units were called to inspect the buildings. According to La Repubblica, one message was sent to 94 schools across Italy. The message, published on the Open website, read: "We have come to destroy you. I have just left a powerful explosive device in your building, inside a plastic bag, which can be remotely detonated." The sender signed as "Mikhail Andropov," the same name that appeared in threat messages last week to European broadcasters, which claimed responsibility for the wave of bomb alerts on flights. The current threats join a series of similar incidents in Europe, including threats to Ryanair flights to Bulgaria and the diversion of an Aer Lingus plane to France.