On November 6, multiple countries across Europe were once again confronted with bomb threats related to aviation, prompting police investigations into the incidents. On that same day, the headquarters of Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ in Dublin was also evacuated as a precaution following a bomb threat. Since the beginning of the week, various flights across Europe have faced delays, diversions, or emergency landings due to such false bomb threats.
According to reports, a flight operated by Romanian airline Tarom from Prague to Bucharest received a bomb threat on Friday. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely at its intended destination. Officials from the airport managing authority confirmed that the bomb threat was ultimately determined to be a hoax.
In Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, police indicated they had stationed officers at Copenhagen Airport for the second consecutive day to address “threats to aviation.” Preliminary assessments from the police suggested that these incidents did not pose a danger to passengers or others at the airport, and that flight operations were running safely without disturbances.
The Czech police also reported receiving another bomb threat directed at aircraft on the same day. They are collaborating with Václav Havel Airport in Prague to implement necessary security measures, emphasizing that these actions would have minimal impact on the airport’s normal operations.
Meanwhile, RTÉ’s headquarters in Donnybrook, Dublin, was evacuated Friday morning after a bomb threat was received, with staff leaving the building and police conducting searches. Subsequently, RTÉ transitioned to broadcasting pre-recorded programs. Several other Irish media organizations received similar threats that day, leading to the evacuation of personnel within their offices.
Ireland’s national police and security service, An Garda Síochána, stated that they had “noted threats against media organizations in Ireland and other areas of Europe.” The police indicated they are maintaining contact with affected institutions and would initiate an investigation into the matter.
As of the latest updates, authorities had not confirmed whether the threats received by the media outlets were related to those targeting European flights earlier in the week.
Earlier this week, over 20 flights in Europe were impacted by similar false bomb threats. Some flights were forced to reroute or make emergency landings, while others were escorted by military aircraft. Authorities reported that no explosive devices have been discovered on any of the affected flights thus far.
Recently, Europe has also experienced several other disruptive incidents, including cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems, unauthorized drone incursions, and false alarms triggered by emergency alert applications in Ukraine and Russia.
Although false bomb threats are not uncommon, the frequency with which they have surfaced in a short time remains unusual.
This series of events coincides with ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe. Several European officials have warned that Russia may intensify its so-called “hybrid threats” against Europe, utilizing means such as cyberattacks, misinformation, and sabotage to apply pressure.
However, as of now, no country or authority has attributed this week’s bomb threats to any specific nation or organization, and Russia has denied involvement in any related acts of sabotage or hybrid warfare.