Irish media offices evacuated over bomb threats as European flights disrupted again

Staff were evacuated on Friday from the offices of several media organisations in Ireland, including in the capital Dublin, after threats that explosives had been planted in the buildings. Police were sent to the headquarters of RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster, and evacuations also took place at the newspaper the Irish Independent, the radio stations Newstalk and Today FM, and the television channel Virgin Media. The threats were later found to be hoaxes.

Government: a possible coordinated campaign

The Irish government said the threats against media organisations were very serious. In its view, they are most likely part of a coordinated campaign, as they emerged at the same time as threats of bombs on aircraft and at airports across Europe. The government noted that it is not yet known whether separate individuals or a centrally organised effort is responsible, but said it appears plausible that the aim is to cause disruption.

Disruption to aviation

On Thursday, threats were received in several European cities about explosives supposedly placed on nearly 30 aircraft and at several airports. Checks found nothing dangerous or suspicious.

On Friday, Prague airport reported threats against at least eight aircraft. They concerned incoming flights from Denmark, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as outgoing flights to the Netherlands, Cyprus, Romania, Italy and the United Kingdom. A threat was also made against a Ryanair plane, an Irish low-cost carrier, due to fly from Lisbon to Rome. Portuguese police checked it and found no explosives.

This week, dozens of commercial flights in Europe have received hoax threats. Three flights were diverted, but all aircraft landed safely. At least five aircraft were escorted by air force planes after threats were received.

Those responsible unknown

No one has yet claimed responsibility. The news agency AFP reported that emails containing threats to the airports of Rome and Sofia were signed "Men's State fighters". A radical organisation called "Men's State" operates in Russia, but AFP cannot confirm that it sent the messages. The hoax threats have mainly targeted low-cost airlines and flights to or from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Italy.