Illustration photo
Numerous false bomb scares in schools reported in American accent
Police are working to uncover the identity of a mysterious 'American' caller who dialled emergency line, falsely warning that bombs were about to explode in a number of schools; children evacuated eventually return to studies.
Police received numerous false warnings via the civilian emergency line 100 on on Monday morning from an individual with an American accent claiming that explosive devices has been planted in schools across Israel.
After sappers were called to the various schools where the bombs were alleged to have been planted, it became clear that they were false alarms.
In the messages received by the police, a woman with an American accent can be heard saying: “you have a bomb in your school.”
Illustration (Photo: Raanan Ben Tzur)
The moment that the reports were received, the principals of the schools were quickly informed, who in turn alerted the security forces of the city and the police.
Among others, reports were received about two schools in Tel Aviv and in Ramat Hasharon.
Recorded messages were also received by the secretaries of the Shezar elementary school in Herzliya where a bomb was purported to have been planted by the anonymous caller who warned that it was about to explode.
Police forces and local security units were immediately hurried to the school to evacuate the students.
Following a thorough scour however, no explosive was located and the students returned to their studies.
Chairman of the Parents’ Committee for Shezar Elementary said: “I was in the school when the report was received. The students...were evacuated to an open area. The students were relaxed and they were we not panicking. I hope that whoever did this prank is not a child. Whoever did make the call should take into account that he is causing unnecessary strain on the students and harassing the security forces that have to deal with this kind of situation.”
Roi Yanovsky, Shahar Chai, Itay Blumental and Raanan Ben Zur contributed to this report.
