In brief
A third surge of bomb threats in November targeted aviation routes to Lisbon, Rome, Prague and Sofia and also struck television and radio stations across Britain, Ireland and Bulgaria. EU authorities say the attacks appear to be part of a coordinated campaign, but the perpetrators remain unidentified. The threats raise questions about their possible link to recent cyber‑attacks on blood‑bank refrigeration systems.
The Irish government announced that a wave of bomb threats on November 6 disrupted at least 18 flights across Europe and forced the evacuation of several media organisations, describing the incidents as part of a “coordinated campaign.”
According to United Press International, this was the third time in the week that flights were threatened, with attacks aimed at routes to Portugal’s Lisbon, Italy’s Rome, the Czech Republic’s Prague and Bulgaria’s Sofia.
United Press International reported that three of the flights were escorted by Hungarian fighter jets, a move corroborated by the BBC. The Guardian added that 18 flights were disrupted on Friday, raising the week’s total to more than 50, and that Prague received the highest number of threats—nine in all.
The Irish Prime Minister’s office issued a statement that RTÉ, Virgin Media, Newstalk and the Independent had also received threats on the same day. The statement read, “It is not known yet who is responsible for these threats, whether it is individuals or a centralised or coordinated effort,” it added. “However, these threats come on the heels of the ongoing disruption to aviation around Europe caused by similar threats, and it seems likely that this is a coordinated campaign of disruption.”
In addition to the Irish broadcasters, news organisations in Bulgaria and Britain were also targeted, the report said. No groups have conclusively claimed responsibility for the attacks, although The Guardian noted that a group had apparently claimed responsibility, though it could not substantiate the claim. The group’s statement was quoted as, “This is only the beginning.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni weighed in on the broader security picture, saying that while it was unclear whether the threats were linked to recent cyber‑attacks on blood‑bank refrigeration systems, the events were “a cause for concern.” She described the controversy surrounding the defence‑versus‑healthcare spending triggered by the hack, saying, “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 added, “When they tell us that the resources committed to defence and security are money taken away from healthcare or hospitals, that’s nonsense, because … we need both.” The quote was reported by Rome news outlet Corriere della Sera.
The White House, Office of the Prime Minister and the European Union security agencies are reportedly collaborating to investigate the attacks, although no spokesperson has released details on their findings or identified suspects. Analysts have pointed to a growing trend of coordinated bombing threats used to disrupt civil aviation and public communications, but the exact motives remain unclear.
Meanwhile, airports across Europe have increased security procedures in response. British airports have displayed updated safety messaging for passengers, while directors of media companies have called for heightened cooperation with intelligence services.
In the aftermath of the latest wave, the Irish government and EU officials are urging any witnesses to come forward, saying that in the absence of clear evidence, the threat may originate from an individual or a coordinated network.
There are still open questions: who is orchestrating these threats, what are the underlying motives—whether political or criminal, whether the attacks are connected to the recent blood‑bank cyber‑incidents, and how EU aviation safety regulators will bolster defense against future disruptions. The European Union episode culminated after a single report mentioned a “historic November moments through the years” segment, though no direct link to the bombs was confirmed.
