Hundreds of schools across Italy were evacuated on Wednesday after a wave of bomb threat emails prompted a nationwide security response, with police and bomb disposal teams searching educational institutions in several regions.

The threats affected schools in major cities, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Turin, Palermo, Bari, Cagliari, Vicenza and Sanremo, disrupting classes and forcing thousands of students and teachers to leave school buildings as authorities carried out precautionary inspections.

More than 300 schools affected

Italian Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said at least 300 schools had been targeted by the threatening emails, adding that the number could increase as authorities continue assessing reports from across the country.

Police, supported by explosive ordnance disposal units, launched inspections at the affected schools. According to the Interior Ministry and local authorities, no explosives or other evidence confirming the threats had been discovered as of Wednesday, though security checks remained ongoing.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held consultations with senior ministers following the incident. Italian authorities described the coordinated threats as an apparent attempt to spread fear and disrupt public life, while stressing that investigations are continuing to determine who was responsible.

Coordinated email campaign under investigation

According to Italian media, the threatening messages were sent simultaneously to schools in several regions. The emails claimed that explosive devices had been placed inside school buildings and included violent threats against Italy.

One of the messages, published by La Repubblica, claimed responsibility on behalf of a previously unknown group calling itself "Vilayat Misoginistan". Authorities have not verified the authenticity of the claim, and investigators say there is currently no confirmed information about the group.

The emails also allegedly claimed that a bomb had been placed in the vehicle of Education Minister Valditara, although security searches found no evidence supporting the allegation.

Investigation continues

Italian police and judicial authorities are working to trace the origin of the emails and identify those responsible for the coordinated campaign.

Officials have urged the public to remain calm while investigations continue, emphasizing that all evacuations were carried out as precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students and school staff. Authorities said security measures would remain in place until all reported threats had been fully assessed and the investigation completed.

Media reports also indicated that similar threatening emails were received by schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland, raising the possibility that the campaign may have extended beyond Italy. However, investigators have not yet confirmed whether the incidents are connected.(ILKHA)