The increasing number of false bomb threats in France and several other European countries is worrying authorities. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez believes these threats could be the result of coordinated actions, without ruling out foreign interference. With schools, train stations, and airplanes having been targeted, President Emmanuel Macron has announced that a Defense Council meeting will be held soon.
France is facing a series of false bomb threats that have mobilized security forces for several days. On Friday, November 13, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez suggested that these threats could be coordinated, and that some might be part of a destabilization strategy. The possibility of foreign intervention is being investigated by authorities, even though no state responsibility has been formally established.
On Thursday, three French schools were affected by alerts requiring security checks. Evacuations were reported in Marseille , in the Jura region, and in Laon, in the Aisne region. Calais train station was also affected by an alert, causing disruptions to rail traffic. These incidents add to the numerous threats targeting commercial aircraft over French territory and in several other European countries.
A wave of threats affecting several European countries
The phenomenon extends far beyond France's borders. On Wednesday, November 11, thousands of Italian schools received emails announcing the supposed presence of explosive devices. Similar threats were sent to schools in the United Kingdom and Ireland, prompting evacuations and police intervention. In the cases investigated, verification operations failed to uncover any explosives.
The aviation sector was also particularly affected. Several flights were diverted or forced to land to allow for security inspections. In France, an Aer Lingus aircraft was diverted to Évreux, while other planes were directed to Orly and Bordeaux . Even when unfounded, these alerts have significant consequences: mobilization of bomb disposal units, disruption of transportation, economic activity, and anxiety among travelers.
The possibility of a destabilization operation is being investigated.
The Paris prosecutor's office opened an investigation on November 7 to identify the authors of the threatening messages. The investigation is focusing on the origin of the emails and the possible existence of links with foreign powers. Investigators are seeking to determine whether these alerts stem from individual initiatives, organized groups, or a broader campaign intended to cause disruption in several countries.
This hypothesis comes amid heightened vigilance against so-called hybrid operations, which can combine cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage, and other destabilizing actions. However, President Emmanuel Macron called for caution on Thursday. Speaking from Dublin, where he was attending a European summit, the head of state emphasized that the available information did not yet allow for attributing these threats to a foreign power. The apparent coordination of certain incidents is therefore not, in itself, sufficient to identify those behind them.
Emmanuel Macron announces a Defense Council
In response to the recurrence of these events, the President of the Republic announced that he would soon convene a National Defense and Security Council. This meeting is intended to allow the authorities to assess the situation, strengthen coordination between the relevant services, and examine the appropriate responses to this increasing number of threats. The government particularly wants to prevent these alerts from causing lasting disruption to transportation and schools.
For security services, the challenge lies in quickly distinguishing credible threats from misinformation without overlooking a real danger. Each report requires assessment and can lead to significant precautionary measures. Investigations will now need to determine whether the various alerts share common characteristics and whether their perpetrators are acting in a coordinated manner. Pending their conclusions, the authorities are maintaining a high level of vigilance across the entire country.
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