In brief
A coordinated campaign of bomb threats disrupted at least 18 flights on Nov. 6, targeting routes to Lisbon, Rome, Prague and Sofia, while RTÉ, Virgin Media, Newstalk and The Independent also received alerts. Authorities are investigating, but no definitive culprit has been identified.
A coordinated wave of bomb threats has disrupted multiple flights across Europe and forced the removal of staff from several news outlets, according to United Press International, which reported the incidents on Friday.
The latest wave follows a series of bomb threats that have disrupted more than 50 flights this week, with Prague receiving the greatest number of alerts.
At least 18 flights were affected on Nov. 6, with threats on routes to Lisbon, Portugal; Rome, Italy; Prague, Czech Republic; and Sofia, Bulgaria. In three cases Hungarian fighter jets escorted the aircraft to ensure passenger safety.
Three planes—including a Unitedana Flight 639 bound for Salzburg, a Lufthansa aircraft to Prague, and a Ryanair service to Lisbon—were escorted by Hungarian fighter jets, according to the BBC.
The Irish government described the attacks as a "coordinated campaign" and said media organisations RTÉ, Virgin Media, Newstalk and The Independent also received threats on Friday, forcing some workers to evacuate.
An Irish prime minister spokesman said:
It is not known yet who is responsible for these threats, whether it is individuals or a centralised or coordinated effort, the statement said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said:
When hackers attempted to alter the temperature of the refrigerators that store blood for transfusions, that blood was secured by a system that costs money; when you pay to buy that system, do we consider it defence spending or healthcare spending? she said, as reported by Rome news outlet Corriere della Sera.
A group claiming responsibility posted on an online forum.
This is only the beginning, the group allegedly said.
Authorities are investigating the incidents but have yet to identify a definitive source. No attacks have yet resulted in casualties, and European aviation authorities continue to warn airlines of increased vigilance.
