In a dramatic unfolding of events, four major French airports were swiftly evacuated following bomb threats early Thursday morning, as reported by Al-Arabiya news channel.
The rise in false bomb alarms has posed a severe challenge to French authorities, leading to significant disruptions. Over the past week, a staggering 15 airports had been cleared, resulting in the cancellation of approximately 130 flights and even the temporary closure of the iconic Palace of Versailles – three times in just five days. This series of disturbances has incited a stern response from the French government, which has now introduced stringent penalties including jail terms and hefty fines for those involved in raising these fraudulent alarms.
Éric Dupond-Moretti, the French Minister of Justice, expressed his indignation, directing his ire at those he labeled as “petty pranksters”. Emphasizing the severity of the situation, he vowed, “We will find them, and they will be punished.” Dupond-Moretti also highlighted the existing French laws that could penalize such malicious callers with up to three years of imprisonment and fines amounting to €45,000 (equivalent to $47,000). Further, he pointed out that parents of underage culprits might be compelled to pay damages, remarking, “We do not need troublemakers at this time.”
France’s heightened state of alert is not without context. The country has been on its toes since the stabbing death of a teacher last week, an incident blamed on an “Islamic extremist”. This tragic event has only compounded the sense of urgency and caution in the nation.
Adding to the narrative, Clément Beaune, France’s Transport Minister, detailed the extent of the disruptions. He noted that false threats targeted a total of 17 airports on Wednesday alone. The consequences of which were widespread, leading to the evacuation of 15 airports, the cancellation of 130 flights, and numerous other flight delays. The series of threats underscores the pressing security challenges France faces amidst an already tense environment.
