ROME, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Waves of bomb hoaxes have disrupted flights and schools across Europe since early November, forcing diversions, evacuations and security checks. Though no explosives have been found, and authorities have yet to determine who is responsible, the incidents have raised concerns over Europe's ability to cope with security challenges.
Several passenger flights operated by LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and Ryanair received bomb threats on Nov. 3, forcing diversions and security checks at airports in countries including Poland, Italy and Spain. A second wave on Nov. 5 affected at least 25 flights across Europe. Some aircraft were diverted to alternate airports or military bases, while fighter jets escorted threatened planes. All affected aircraft landed safely.
The threats soon spread beyond aviation to news organizations and schools.
On Nov. 6, news organizations in Britain, Bulgaria and Ireland were targeted. Irish public broadcaster RTE briefly evacuated staff; Newstalk radio, Bulgaria's Nova TV and British broadcaster Sky also reported receiving threats.
Five days later, about 6,300 schools in Italy received bomb-threat emails. A fresh wave reached more than 3,700 schools the following day, prompting further security checks and evacuations.
Similar emails reached schools in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Three schools in France were also evacuated following false alerts on Thursday.
The bomb threats came amid separate cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems in several European countries, highlighting wider concerns about the vulnerability of essential services.
So far, no connection between the incidents has been established. However, efforts to identify the source of these threats have put Russia and Iran under scrutiny.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday of carrying out an October cyberattack on refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets. Belgium on Thursday announced a similar accusation. In response, Iran's Foreign Ministry has rejected the accusation as "baseless and malicious."
The allegations against Russia also remain contested. Authorities have presented no concrete evidence linking either country to the bomb threats and have yet to establish whether the incidents are coordinated. Experts warn that their consequences could extend well beyond temporary disruptions.
Mirsad Buzar, a security expert and adviser at the German Society for International Cooperation, told Xinhua that the incidents could be pranks or copycat incidents but might also be attempts to test the readiness of European security systems.
Peter Neumann, professor of security studies at King's College London, wrote on social media platform X that the pattern suggested a broad disruptive operation intended to create uncertainty across European air travel rather than cause physical destruction.
He cautioned, however, that there was no concrete evidence of Russian involvement, according to The New York Times.
Italian security analyst Andrea Margelletti, founder and president of the Rome-based Center for International Studies, criticized Europe's fragmented response, saying governments often focus on individual incidents rather than examining possible perpetrators or whether the incidents were connected.
He told Xinhua that one possible aim of the hoaxes was to influence European elections and deepen divisions between governments and the public.
Even when they prove unfounded, such threats can strain emergency services, disrupt operations and undermine confidence in public institutions.
Manuel Atug, founder and spokesperson of Germany's independent Critical Infrastructure Working Group (AG KRITIS), compared the hoaxes to "swatting," in which false emergency reports trigger major police operations. He said repeated threats can disrupt essential systems and make authorities appear unable to guarantee public safety.
The economic impact could also mount. Adrian Furgalski, president of the board of Polish consultancy TOR Economic Advisers, told the Polish Press Agency that flight diversions increase fuel and ground-handling expenses, while prolonged disruptions leave airlines responsible for stranded passengers.
With no perpetrator identified, the incidents have tested Europe's security response, forcing authorities to manage each alert while determining whether the threats are isolated acts, copycats, or part of a coordinated campaign, highlighting broader concerns about the vulnerability of its security. ■
