Bomb threats disrupt multiple European flights, prompt airport evacuations and inspections

At least six passenger planes bound for European cities received bomb threats on Tuesday, with no explosives found after security checks.

Bomb threats targeting passenger planes bound for European destinations caused significant disruption on Tuesday, with at least six flights affected, according to International Business Times. The incidents led to emergency landings, airport shutdowns, and the evacuation of aircraft as authorities conducted thorough inspections. No explosives were discovered on any of the planes involved in the bomb threats to European flights.

Polish authorities reported that two planes were subject to bomb threats, prompting immediate security procedures. “The passengers were evacuated and the plane underwent security checks. Nothing was found,” said Adam Szablowski, a spokesperson for the airport, in comments to French news agency AFP. Operations at the affected Polish airports were temporarily suspended before resuming around noon.

Other flights targeted included a Ryanair plane en route to Spain, two flights to Italy, and one flight traveling from Israel to Bulgaria. Authorities confirmed that all aircraft were evacuated and inspected, with no explosives found in any of the cases. The coordinated response across multiple countries underscores the seriousness with which aviation authorities treat such threats, even when they ultimately prove unfounded.

The wave of bomb threats to European flights comes shortly after a series of cyberattacks affected supermarket chains across Europe. These cyber incidents forced several retailers to discard refrigerated food after freezers and refrigeration units were artificially heated. Chains in Sweden, Belgium, and Luxembourg—including Coop and ICA in Sweden, and Spar and Shop & Go in Belgium—reported being impacted. “There has been a cyberattack and all our freezers reached 50 degrees (Celsius),” said Engla Ingwall, sales manager at an ICA franchise in Stockholm, speaking to Reuters.

Just a month prior, hundreds of French supermarkets experienced similar attacks, with some stores reporting refrigerator temperatures rising to 122 degrees Fahrenheit overnight. European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen condemned the cyberattacks, writing on X, “Food security requires more attention at all levels. Because the weaponization of food has become a reality.” The International Business Times noted that the United States has also experienced comparable incidents, though details were not provided in the report.