Bomb Threats Rock French Airports: Evacuations and Flight Cancellations Spark Chaos in Week of False Alarms
Fourteen French airports faced bomb threats causing disruption and cancellations of flights. The country has experienced a series of false alarms in the past week, leading to increased security concerns.
Fourteen French airports were targeted with bomb threats on Thursday, leading to the evacuation of at least nine of them. This comes as part of a series of false alarms that have been plaguing the country over the past week. The bomb threats caused significant disruptions, with around 130 flights being cancelled as a result. The airports affected included smaller ones such as Brest, Carcassonne, Bordeaux, and Montpellier.
#INCIDENT | French airports have been evacuated amid bomb threats for the second consecutive day.
— AviationSource (@AvSourceNews) October 19, 2023
This morning at least three French airports - Montpellier (MPL), Nantes Atlantique (NTE) and Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) - have been the subject of precautionary evacuations.… pic.twitter.com/q5JX57LTEx
The Palace of Versailles was also evacuated for the fourth time in less than a week. Authorities confirmed the bomb threats but did not provide an exact number. Security forces conducted extensive checks, and several airports took to social media to inform passengers about the evacuations. France has been on high alert due to recent events, including the conflict between Hamas and Israel and the killing of a teacher by a perpetrator affiliated with ISIS last week. With its large Jewish and Muslim populations, the country has been particularly vigilant about security.
Bordeaux-Merignac Airport, which had already experienced a three-hour evacuation on Wednesday, expressed frustration at the situation, stating that while it is a serious nuisance, zero risks can be taken. Transport Minister Clement Beaune voiced his concerns on social media, emphasizing that planned false alerts are dangerous and unacceptable. Perpetrators can face up to two years in prison and a fine of €30,000 ($31,700).
It is not only airports that have been targeted; other landmarks such as the Louvre museum and Palace of Versailles have also received threats, resulting in temporary closures. These incidents highlight the need for increased security measures and the consequences faced by those who engage in such deceptive and disruptive behavior.
