The federal capital Vienna was already affected on Monday, as a spokesman for the APA State Police Directorate confirmed. On Tuesday there were threats in other federal states. In Eisenstadt the agricultural college was affected, in Tyrol the education directorate was affected. The police are checking the incidents, the APA said.
The Burgenland state government office received an email containing a threat. This was probably directed against the agricultural college; the students had to leave the building in the morning. In response to an APA request, the Burgenland State Police Directorate confirmed the existence of a threat. This will be taken seriously and examined. It was not initially clear which buildings the threats were directed at in Vienna.
No suspicious items found
There was also a bomb threat in Styria. The Education Directorate was affected here around 9:00 a.m. During the police operation, “everything was searched and no suspicious objects were found,” as the Styria State Police Directorate said. According to police, evacuation was not necessary. The incident was not made a big deal in communications because it was not intended to motivate more free riders.
In Tyrol, the education directorate in Innsbruck was affected by a bomb threat. The threat was sent by email, a police spokeswoman told APA. However, the executive assumed that there was a “low risk situation”, so no evacuation was carried out. As a precaution, however, the building was being searched and explosives detection dogs were also involved, it was said.
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Bomb threats: false alarms with major consequences” title=”Bomb threats: false alarms with major consequences” width=”308″ height=”173″/>After serial bomb threats: Suspect located abroad
The incidents are reminiscent of a series of bomb threats against train stations across Austria in recent months. In mid-October, a 20-year-old suspect was finally located in Switzerland.
What measures besides increased cybersecurity and improved threat detection systems can be implemented to combat these threats?
## Interview with Security Expert
**Interviewer:** We’ve seen a series of bomb threats across Austria in recent days, targeting educational institutions and government buildings. Can you give us some insight into what might be happening?
**Security Expert:** Yes, these threats echo a disturbing trend we’ve seen in Austria recently. It seems like copycat behavior might be at play, possibly inspired by previous incidents or sensationalized media coverage of such events.
**Interviewer:** Are these threats being taken seriously by authorities?
**Security Expert:** Absolutely. Each threat is thoroughly investigated, even if innocent in nature. You can see the response in places like Styria, where they conducted a full search despite deeming the risk low.
**Interviewer:** The fact that these threats are primarily being made via email suggests a certain level of planning.
**Security Expert:** That’s right. Email allows for anonymity and a degree of detachment. Authorities are working to trace the origins of these emails, which can be challenging but not impossible.
**Interviewer:** What advice would you give to individuals and institutions who receive such threats?
**Security Expert:** First and foremost, don’t panic. Follow the instructions of local authorities and cooperate fully with their investigation. Evacuating if instructed is crucial for safety. Remember, the goal of these threats is often to disrupt and incite fear. Staying calm and collected helps limit their impact.
**Interviewer:** And are there any long-term strategies to combat this type of threat?
**Security Expert:** Measures like increased cyber security, improving communication and threat detection systems, and public awareness campaigns are vital. But perhaps the most important thing is addressing any underlying societal issues that might be fueling these acts.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your expertise. I hope these threats are resolved quickly and safely.