Massive wave of false bomb threats targets Italian schools

Starting November 11, 2026, thousands of public schools across Italy were targeted by a coordinated wave of bomb threats sent via email. The messages, signed by 'Mikhail Andropov, leader of Vilayat Misoginistan', claimed explosive devices had been planted in schools and threatened the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Similar threats also reached schools in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

Italian Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara confirmed that approximately 84% of public schools, totaling about 6,300 institutions, received these emails on the first day. While initial reports indicated widespread evacuations, the threats were subsequently identified as hoaxes by authorities. A second wave of emails followed on November 12, affecting nearly 2,000 additional schools, and a threat was also sent to the Palazzo Chigi government building.

In response to the disruption, the Italian Ministry of the Interior issued a new protocol on November 13. Future bomb threats sent to multiple recipients will no longer trigger automatic school evacuations unless concrete evidence of a threat exists. Police checks will only be mandatory if suspicious objects are identified by school staff or surveillance systems, with local authorities holding the final decision-making power regarding closures.