Bomb threats warning "time is running out" disrupted TV channels across Europe.
On Friday, November 6, television stations in several European countries received bomb threats and warnings that "time is running out." As a result, several editorial offices had to evacuate employees and temporarily suspend the broadcasts.
Threats were received, in particular, against the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ, the British TV channel Sky, the private Bulgarian TV channel New TV and a number of other broadcasting organizations. According to the companies, no explosive devices were found at any of the sites tested, reports Reuters.
RTÉ's broadcasts were disrupted during the tests, with music and a recorded message being played to viewers instead of normal programmes. In some cases, the outage lasted up to three hours.
The current incidents come against the background of a series of false reports about airplane bombings, which in recent days have caused serious disruptions in air travel from Serbia and Finland to Spain. The threats forced the crews to change routes, make emergency landings and security services to carry out additional checks. However, no explosives were found either.
In addition, in recent weeks, the fear has risen in Europe of an increase in cyber incidents and hacker attacks, including on retailers and supermarkets.
Letters with the title "Message to the West".
The letters sent to RTÉ and New Television were signed under the name of Mikhail Andropov. The author claimed to be one of the leaders of a group involved in the recent false reports about the bombing of planes.
The messages also included a warning that what happened is just the beginning and that more incidents are expected in Europe in the near future.
"We want the whole world to know about us, so one of our operatives planted an explosive device in your building. It will work in 45 minutes.