French prosecutors launch investigation into coordinated wave of hoax bomb threats

On November 7, 2026, the Paris prosecutor's office announced an investigation into a series of hoax bomb threats that disrupted multiple flights across Europe, specifically those passing through French airspace. Authorities are attempting to identify the authors of the emails and determine if the campaign involves foreign interference or state-sponsored actors.

Recent disruptions include the diversion of an Aer Lingus flight to Évreux on Thursday following a bomb scare. By Friday, four additional threats triggered security protocols for aircraft flying over France, resulting in safe landings for three planes at Orly Airport and one at Bordeaux Airport. Specialized explosive ordnance disposal teams conducted security inspections on all affected vessels, confirming that the threats were false.

Similar threats targeted media outlets in Ireland, which officials described as part of a broader, coordinated campaign of disruption. Some of the messages were signed by a group identified as the "Male State," a known anti-feminist organization in Russia. However, the founder of the group denied any involvement, asserting that the organization disbanded in 2021. Investigations into the origin of these threats remain ongoing as authorities analyze the electronic communications to trace the perpetrators and their potential motives.