At least 300 Italian schools evacuated over nationwide bomb threats

At least ​300 schools in Italy were evacuated on Wednesday after receiving the same bomb alert message, ⁠the education minister said.

The security alert came amid rising concerns in Europe about so-called hybrid warfare ⁠threats which ​have targeted supermarkets, ⁠blood banks, air traffic and TV broadcasters.

Italian ⁠Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara told ​the ⁠La7 TV channel that ‌300 schools had been affected by the bomb alerts, adding ‌the number could rise.

“Following ‌a nationwide bomb alert, we wish to inform you that all students ⁠have been taken to a safe area and remain under the supervision of teaching staff,” one school in Rome informed parents.

The email was signed “Mikhail Andropov, leader ‌of the Vilayat of Misoginistan,” ​according to a government ‌source with knowledge ⁠of the matter.

Italian police forces ⁠are investigating the matter, a spokesperson for ‌Rome ​police said.

Later, ​Prime ⁠Minister Giorgia Meloni ⁠said on ​social media that the threats posed no danger and she would chair a meeting at government headquarters ‌to take ​stock ‌of events ⁠and ⁠coordinate further action.

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world