Media organizations in Ireland and the UK have been added to the list of bomb threat targets. Ireland's national broadcaster (RTE) announced that its buildings were evacuated after receiving a bomb threat. Other media organizations have also begun security measures in response to these threats.
High-Level European Union Meeting in Dublin
These threats were made just two days before the high-level European Union meeting in Dublin, where Ireland, holding the rotating presidency of the Union, is overseeing the session. An RTE reporter stated that the group claiming responsibility for these threats is the same group that sent threats to airlines earlier this week.
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Officials' Response to the Threats
The British television organization, Sky, also reported that it received a "security threat" on Friday. Simon Harris, Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister, told Cork 96FM that it is still unclear whether this effort is from an individual or a coordinated action. He described the situation as "serious and evolving."
Micheál Martin, the Prime Minister of Ireland, called these developments "concerning" and added that the Garda police and defense forces are investigating the threats. He also urged any organization receiving a similar threat to take it seriously and report it to the police.
Martin stated: "This shows how relatively simple it can be to disrupt and undermine the normal operations of society through such unconventional activities designed to instill fear and concern."
The Prime Minister also mentioned the importance of continuing these meetings normally in relation to the EU meetings in Dublin. He added: "We have the largest number of prime ministers in our country at one time, which requires very significant security operations."
More than two dozen flights have been affected by the threats this week, with more reported on Friday. Police in Denmark and the Czech Republic responded to threats that ultimately proved to be unfounded.
A flight operated by the Romanian company Tarom from Prague to Bucharest received a threat but landed safely at its destination, with officials deeming it unfounded. Police in Copenhagen stated that they went to the airport for the second consecutive day "in connection with threats related to air traffic," but there was no danger to passengers or disruption to flights.
While bomb threats are not uncommon, such a wave of threats occurring within a short time frame is unusual, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions with Russia and a wave of hybrid attacks that have disrupted Europe.
