On Wednesday, October 18 2023, six airports in France were evacuated due to emailed bomb threats. The evacuations occurred in Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Nice, Toulouse and Beauvais near Paris, and security checks carried out.
French airports affected
The affected airports were Lille Airport, Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport, Nantes Atlantique Airport, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, Toulouse–Blagnac Airport, and Paris–Beauvais Airport.
Flights were cancelled and passengers were evacuated from the terminals. The airports were subsequently reopened after being searched by police and security forces. No bombs were found.
The French aviation authority, the DGAC, confirmed the evacuations and said that they were a precautionary measure. The DGAC also said that the threats were being investigated.
The evacuations came at a time of heightened security in France, following the killing of a teacher by an Islamist extremist the previous week. There have also been a number of protests against the French government’s crackdown on Islamist groups.
The evacuations, which occurred around midday, caused disruption to travel plans, but there were no reports of injuries or damage.
The evacuations of the six French airports had a significant impact on travelers. Thousands of passengers were stranded at the airports, and flights were cancelled or delayed.
Investigation into the Bomb Threats
The French police are investigating the bomb threats that led to the evacuations of the six airports. The police have not released any information about the suspects or the motive for the threats.
However, some experts believe that the threats may have been motivated by the recent killing of a teacher by an Islamist extremist in France. On Friday, a teacher in the northern city Arras was fatally stabbed by a man who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The experts also believe that the threats may have been intended to disrupt travel and cause chaos.
Security Measures at Airports
The French government has implemented a number of security measures at airports in recent years. These measures include increased police presence, baggage checks, and identity checks.
However, the recent evacuations of the six airports show that there is still a risk of terrorism at airports.
The French government is continuing to review its security measures and is working to improve security at airports.
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