Shock in Lower Austria: Bomb threats force schools to evacuate!

Shock in Lower Austria: Bomb threats force schools to evacuate!

Alarming incidents occurred in Lower Austria on Monday when over 20 schools were evacuated and searched due to anonymous bomb threats. These threats were targeted at several educational institutions and prompted extensive police operations. The state vocational school for mechanics in Stockerau was one of the affected schools that received a threat. The management of this school also did not provide any information about the incidents late on Monday afternoon.

The threat, directed at the state vocational school for butchers, which is located at the same location, was also made by the director Hollabrunner LFS confirmed. The students were brought to safety and gathered on the soccer field for attendance verification. The police were deployed with a large contingent, including 15 police officers and a special team with a sniffer dog, and searched the entire building thoroughly.

Police measures and evacuations

In total, evacuation measures were initiated at at least 21 schools throughout Lower Austria. As the Tips reported, the threats were delivered via email and appear to have been created using artificial intelligence. The emails indicated that an explosion was to be expected in one of the schools on Monday morning. Safety measures were immediately ordered at all affected locations.

The police operations also included several schools in St. Pölten, where security precautions were also taken. However, there was currently no confirmation of actual dangers, and no dangerous objects were found in the affected schools. Police are also investigating a possible connection to similar threats from last year.

Criticism and consequences for the students

The threats had far-reaching consequences for school operations. Students were required to leave their study materials in the building, which could significantly impact the completion of school work and tests on Tuesday. The director of the Hollabrunner School expressed regret about the lost day of school and its impact on upcoming final exams. Evening school was able to take place as planned, but 15 boarding students were present again in the evening after the situation had calmed down.

Fritz Schechtner, chairman of the neighboring Hollabrunn District Chamber of Farmers, said that the employees were informed about the bomb threats, but that the office did not have to be evacuated. The State Police Directorate and the Interior Ministry did not disclose any specific information about the incidents for the time being and mentioned that media reporting could potentially attract copycat criminals.

The investigation into the origin of the threatening emails is in full swing and the police have taken security precautions in consultation with the Education Directorate. Given these worrying developments, the situation will continue to be monitored closely. Comprehensive information about the incidents is also available in a report from Mirror to find.