Fake bomb threats resume after weekend lull

A wave of fake bomb threats that began last week resumed on Monday after a quiet weekend, disrupting schools, businesses, and public institutions across Croatia.

Zagreb’s largest hospital received a threat Monday afternoon. Earlier in the day, similar warnings were sent to schools in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Dubrovnik, as well as to City Hall and a shopping center in the capital.

All of the threats have been confirmed as false, but they have caused significant disruption and placed a strain on police resources.

“A lot of high school students have long commutes, and we don’t know whether to tell them to come to class or not. It’s a complicated situation,” said Anto Vidović, principal of the School of Trades and Industrial Construction in Zagreb.

Teacher Matilda Matošević said the repeated disruptions are particularly affecting final-year students preparing for graduation exams.

“I hope we see less of this as the end of the school year approaches. Students have their exams and really don’t need this right now,” she said.

Police said more than 500 bomb threats were sent by email over a five-day period last week, targeting schools, daycare centers, shopping centers, and Split Airport.

Speaking during a visit to Zadar University, Interior Minister Davor Božinović said authorities have intensified international cooperation, as the threats are believed to originate from abroad. He added that officials are working to ensure students can complete the school year with minimal disruption.

“We will do everything in our power to prevent this from affecting the end of the school year, including graduation exams. We are taking steps to ensure classes can continue. At this point, we are not close to switching to online learning,” Božinović said.