More than 70 educational institutions across Hungary were targeted by bomb threats on Monday morning, 19 October, after threatening emails claimed explosives had been planted in schools nationwide. Police have launched an investigation and urged anyone who receives a similar message to notify the authorities immediately.
Dozens of schools received threats
According to the Hungarian police, the threatening emails were sent to several media outlets early on Monday. The messages claimed that explosives had been placed in more than 70 institutions, prompting authorities to take the necessary measures.
Police have not yet published a complete list of the institutions affected. They have asked people at the locations concerned to follow instructions from police officers and school staff, stressing that all necessary steps are being taken in response to the threats.
Schools reported affected in several Hungarian cities
Although the authorities have not officially confirmed the full list, local media have reported incidents in several towns and cities. In Szeged, three institutions were reportedly affected, and nearby city Hódmezővásárhely was also reportedly targeted. Meanwhile, local media in Tatabánya reported that a secondary school had been evacuated following a threatening email. The precise number of institutions evacuated and the operational response at individual institutions have not yet been confirmed by the police.
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Threatening email referred to a planned explosion
According to a report by 24.hu, one of the emails began with the words, “Today is the day of revenge,” before listing dozens of establishments, including institutions in Budapest and other parts of the country. The message reportedly claimed that detonations were planned between 10 AM and noon on Monday. The outlet said it had notified the police after receiving the threat.
Authorities have not publicly established who sent the messages or whether any explosives were actually present. The police have reiterated that anyone receiving a similar threatening communication should contact law enforcement and that people at affected schools should comply with official instructions.
Schools threatened even in our neighbourhood
The incident reached even our neighbour, as Pannon RTV reported bomb threats against schools in several Serbian cities on Monday as well, although it has not been established whether the cases are connected. Schools were threatened even in Hungarian areas as well, in Subotica (Szabadka) alone three institutions were involved, but schools the capital, Belgrade received numerous cryptic messages as well.
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