Join on WhatsApp 
Join on Telegram Rabat – France has been gripped by a spate of bomb scares, leading to evacuations of significant landmarks, including the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre, as well as schools, airports, and hospitals.
The perpetrators behind these disruptions are primarily minors, according to authorities.
The bomb threats have surged during a period of heightened tension in France, which began following the tragic stabbing of a teacher by an allegedly jihadist in the northern city of Arras.
In response to this incident, France raised its counter-terrorism alert to the highest level, as a nation mourned the loss of 57-year-old teacher Dominique Bernard. The suspected assailant, a former student, is a Russian national of Chechen origin.
The Palace of Versailles, an iconic symbol of French culture and history, has been evacuated four times this week alone, with visitors and staff experiencing considerable disruption and concern. Similarly, the Louvre, the world-famous art museum in Paris, had to evacuate thousands of visitors last Saturday in response to a bomb scare.
As a result of these threats, a number of regional airports, including Lille, Nantes, Nice, and Toulouse, were evacuated, causing significant delays and inconvenience for travelers.
On Thursday, 11 airports across France were also affected, leaving authorities grappling to maintain safety and security.
Six high schools were evacuated in the Toulouse area on Thursday, adding to the sense of unease among students and staff. Earlier this week, students at a Toulouse school were instructed to take shelter under their desks when a suspicious package was discovered outside the building.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, addressing the nation on Thursday night, revealed that within a span of 48 hours, 18 individuals, primarily minors, have been arrested in connection with these incidents. He emphasized that while these acts are concerning, there is currently no specific threat against the country.
The bomb threats have been made through various channels, including phone calls, emails, and a website established in 2020 for direct communication with police officers, as well as official police social media accounts.
Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti has warned those responsible for false alarms, referring to them as “little jokers,” that they will be identified and face consequences.
