Bomb Threats Sent To 312 Italian Schools, Meloni Calls Emergency Cabinet Meeting
by Deutsche Welle · abp LiveAlthough the government believes the threat to be a hoax, it has nevertheless prompted concerns about "hybrid warfare" in Europe. Similar messages were sent in Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Bulgaria.
Written By : Deutsche Welle | Updated at : 11 Nov 2026 11:05 PM (IST)
Bomb threats hit 312 Italian schools; officials say investigations have found no concrete danger.
Source : DW
At 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, 312 Italian schools received the same e-mail: "A powerful explosive device with a remote detonator has been left in your building."
Most of the affected schools were in Rome, but several other major cities also got the same message.
Antonello Giannelli, head of the National Association of School Principals, said that it was "clearly the work of a hoaxer" trying to sow chaos.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said it was also designed to "sow terror" for thousands of families.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet will convene an emergency meeting this afternoon, the Palazzo Chigi has confirmed.
"The government is closely monitoring the numerous reports of bomb threats at schools," Meloni said in a statement posted to social media.
"Law enforcement agencies and government institutions at every level are working to monitor the situation and reassure citizens, families, and school staff.
"At this time, based on the investigations conducted, there is no evidence to suggest that a concrete danger exists. Rather, the reports appear to be part of a strategy aimed at causing alarm."
Concerns over hybrid warfare
The threatening e-mail sent to Italian schools was signed with the same fake name as similar messages that went out to newsrooms in Bulgaria and Ireland on Friday.
Some 300 schools in Northern Ireland were also affected, though it was not immediately clear if the threats had come from the same sender.
Recent hybrid attacks on supermarkets, air traffic controllers, blood banks and broadcasters across Europe have raised worries amongst leaders that this may be part of a coordinated attempt at hybrid warfare.
France summoned the Iranian ambassador on Tuesday over cyberattacks that caused supermarket freezers to defrost, but Tehran has denied any involvement.
Crosetto also cautioned against jumping to conclusions, saying: "It is not always the work of foreign countries or hostile entities. There are also attention-seekers and lunatics who" simply want to unleash mayhem.
(Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.)
About the author Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle is Germany's international broadcaster. As an independent media outlet, Deutsche Welle provides unbiased news and information in 32 languages around the world.
Read More
Published at : 11 Nov 2026 11:05 PM (IST)
Tags :
Italy Bomb Threats Hybrid Warfare
Breaking News, Anytime, Anywhere - Download ABPLIVE on Android and iOS now!
Advertisement
Top Headlines
‘Diplomacy Through Threats’: Pezeshkian Slams US Over ‘Mother Of All Bombs’ Remarks
World
Iran Denies IRGC Role In Cyberattack On 700 French Supermarkets As Paris Seeks EU Sanctions
World
Rifts Emerge In Eisenkot Bloc As Doubts Grow Over Bennett, Golan's Coalition Plans
World
China University On US Blacklist Buys Nvidia H200 AI Chips Worth $123,000
Advertisement
Videos
Advertisement
Photo Gallery
From Sydney To Beijing: Cities Light Up To Welcome 2026
World
Massive Earthquake Triggers Tsunami In Russia — Photos
World
Pics From Situation Room As US Strikes Iran's Nuclear Sites
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Trending Opinion
Nayanima Basu
OPINION | Recalibrating India-Canada Bilateral Relations
Opinion