School bomb threats live: Mass UK evacuations after chilling warning from 'outside country'

School bomb threats live: Mass UK evacuations after chilling warning from 'outside country' Schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland have been evacuated following widespread bomb threats sent by email, with police launching urgent investigations and pupils sent home. Schools across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Europe have been evacuated following reports of widespread bomb threats, sparking a major security alert. A large number of schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland received threatening emails, with hundreds titled "death is near", this morning (Wednesday). Police declared a major incident in Northern Ireland after schools received the threatening messages, reports Belfast Live. The PSNI said they believed the threats came from outside the UK. Pupils have also been sent home after closures across Scotland, including in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife and the Highlands.Another 200 schools were evacuated in Italy after similar threats were received. Northern Ireland's Education Authority said there is currently no evidence of a credible threat, adding that the emails are similar to a hoax sent to hundreds of schools last month. Police Scotland have said they are treating emails there as a hoax. Meloni: Bomb threat emails sent to schools in Italy aimed at 'generating alarm' Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement that there is no indication of any "concrete danger" to Italian schools. She added that the threats appear to be aimed at "generating alarm and concern". Meloni said investigations are under way and that she has convened a meeting of ministers for later today. Kinross school evacuated as council slams hoax emails for causing 'anxiety and disruption' A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that a number of schools in Perth and Kinross received bomb threats today, resulting in some schools evacuating. The spokesperson said: "Schools took appropriate action based on the circumstances and information available to them, and we want to reassure parents and carers that the wellbeing of pupils and staff remains at the heart of our response. “Police Scotland have since confirmed that following assessments, the messages are being treated as hoaxes that do not represent a credible threat to schools or the wider public. Such threats cause unnecessary anxiety and disruption and we will be assisting Police Scotland with their enquiries in any way we can." County Down school evacuated 'on advice of PSNI' The Department of Education advised schools in Northern Ireland to remain open “unless otherwise advised by the PSNI”. Threatening emails were sent to more than 300 schools in Northern Ireland, PSNI said, adding: "It is believed similar emails have been received by some schools in Scotland." Alliance Party member condemns 'reckless bomb threats' sent to NI schools "Such actions are unacceptable, causing fear and distress among pupils, parents and staff. Please remain calm and follow official guidance. My thoughts are with everyone affected.” PSNI is treating the email as a hoax PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said: "We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, school communities and for students and parents. Our enquiries are ongoing, however, at this stage we consider risk to the public as low." Principal at Country Antrim school says bomb threat was 'extremely disruptive' Principal Stephen Reid said in the email: "This was extremely disruptive to learning and teaching and, particularly regrettably, interrupted our annual Act of Remembrance. "However, the safety of our pupils and staff will always come first, and we will always act cautiously until advised that it is safe to do otherwise." Department of Education urges schools to remain open "Education Authority are aware that another threatening email has today been sent to a large number of schools across Northern Ireland. "This message bears similarities to a previous threat issued last month, which was investigated by PSNI and declared a hoax. "The Education Authority is working closely with PSNI regarding this latest message. At present, there is no evidence of any credible threat to schools, and enquiries remain ongoing. "Schools are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to PSNI. Unless otherwise advised by the PSNI schools should stay open." Around 300 schools evacuated in Italy after bomb threats Edinburgh pupils evacuated as parents raise concerns Police Scotland responds to nationwide school bomb threats "On Wednesday, 11 November 2026 threatening messages were sent to a number of schools in Scotland and across and the UK. "These messages were immediately assessed and are being treated as hoaxes. Our enquiries have established that there is nothing to suggest that they represent a credible threat or that there is any wider threat to the public. "We understand how distressing messages of this nature can be for pupils, parents, carers and school staff, and the concern they can understandably cause. "Our advice is that there is no requirement to evacuate schools or keep children away from education based solely on the content of the emails. "They have been sent widely to distribution lists across the UK and Northern Ireland and our assessment remains that they do not represent a credible threat. "Police Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Unit is carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the source of the messages, and officers continue to liaise with law enforcement partners across the UK and internationally." Pupils return to classrooms after brief evacuations According to Belfast Live, schools contacted the Education Authority and PSNI, who advised that the incident was being treated as a hoax. Children were allowed back into classrooms after checks of the affected buildings. Police say schools do not need to evacuate The force said its assessment found no credible threat to schools or the wider public. 'DEATH IS NEAR': Chilling bomb threat email sent to schools According to the Irish Mirror, the message was sent to a wide range of targets on Wednesday morning, including schools and media organisations. The email reportedly claimed that explosive devices had been planted in buildings and threatened further violence. Sources told the Irish Mirror that the threats were deemed not credible, while RTÉ was not evacuated following the latest message. Police Scotland has separately confirmed that threatening emails circulated widely across the UK and Northern Ireland are being treated as hoaxes. It has not yet been confirmed whether all the threatening messages are linked. Education Authority says no evidence of credible threat In a statement, it said: "EA is liaising with police on this latest message. At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of any credible threat to schools. Investigations are continuing." The authority added that it was for police to determine the credibility of the messages. Police confirm school bomb threats across UK are hoaxes The force said the messages had been assessed and there was nothing to suggest a wider threat to the public. Police added that schools do not need to evacuate or keep children away from classrooms based solely on the emails. Police Scotland's Cyber and Fraud Unit is now carrying out extensive enquiries to identify the source of the messages, working alongside law enforcement partners across the UK and internationally.