European Newsrooms and Flights Targeted by Bomb Threats

A series of bomb threats targeting flights and media organizations across Europe has raised security concerns, with authorities investigating what appears to be a coordinated campaign of disruption. Several European newsrooms received emailed bomb threats, including British broadcaster Sky, Bulgaria’s Nova TV, and Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ. RTÉ briefly evacuated its staff from its headquarters in Dublin after receiving a threat warning that a bomb would explode within 45 minutes.

The Irish government confirmed that similar threats had been sent to Virgin Media, Newstalk radio, and The Irish Independent newspaper, and said the incidents appeared to be linked to a wider campaign that had already disrupted aviation across Europe. On Friday, Czech police reported bomb threats involving nine flights arriving at or departing from Prague, while French authorities received four new threats involving aircraft flying over French territory.

All affected planes landed safely, but the threats prompted flight diversions, security checks, and temporary evacuations. An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a French military base after a hoax bomb threat. Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said fighter jets escorted two passenger aircraft flying through Hungarian airspace following threats.

NATO also ordered an air patrol near the Hungarian-Romanian border, while Danish police received threats targeting air traffic at Copenhagen Airport but said there appeared to be no danger to passengers. The airport continued operating normally. European air traffic authority Eurocontrol said it was monitoring the situation and working with airlines, airports, and other aviation authorities to limit disruptions.

Although the threats have not resulted in any reported explosions or discoveries of explosive devices, their growing number has raised questions about who is behind the incidents. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it remained unclear whether the threats were connected to recent cyberattacks targeting civilian infrastructure across Europe.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described the threats against aircraft as an attempt at hybrid aggression and psychological warfare, arguing that they represented an attack on European democracy. Authorities have yet to identify those responsible for the threats or establish whether the incidents are connected.

The incidents have highlighted the growing vulnerability of essential civilian services, with authorities working to determine the origin and motivations behind the threats. The threats came a day after more than two dozen flights were targeted, forcing several aircraft to change their routes or make unplanned landings.

Key points

• European newsrooms and flights were targeted by a wave of suspected hoax bomb threats.
• Authorities are investigating a coordinated campaign of disruption, but have yet to identify those responsible.
• The threats have raised concerns about the growing vulnerability of essential civilian services.