Terror fear spreads in Europe: Six French airports evacuated after bomb threats and German synagogue firebombed

18 October 2023, 12:01

Europe has been rocked by a series of terror attacks in recent days
Europe has been rocked by a series of terror attacks in recent days. Picture: Getty/Social Media
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Six French airports have been evacuated following several "threats of attack", according to police sources, hours after a synagogue was firebombed in Berlin.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Evacuations have taken place at airports in Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Toulouse, and Beauvais in a bid to "clear up any doubts" over the veracity of the threats, as reported by Le Monde.

By midday on Wednesday (French time), several of these airports had received 'bomb threats' and reports of 'forgotten luggage requiring attention'.

A spokesperson for Beauvais Airport said "an anonymous threat had been received by several airports".

The threats came just hours after a German synagogue was firebombed in an antisemitic attack. Two Molotov cocktails were thrown at the synagogue in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the firebomb attack on the synagogue in Berlin, saying, "We will never accept attacks against Jewish institutions."

Several hours after the attack, a separate 30-year-old man approached the synagogue and started running toward the building. Police detained the man as he began shouting 'anti-Israeli slogans', as reported by abcNews.

“We are all shocked by this terrorist attack,” Germany's Central Council of Jews said in a statement.

“Above all, the families from the neighborhood around the synagogue are shocked and unsettled. Words become deeds. Hamas’ ideology of extermination against everything Jewish is also having an effect in Germany.”

Read More: Risk of UK terror atrocity has increased after 'monstrous attacks' by Hamas in Israel, MI5 chief warns

Read More: Joe Biden says Gaza hospital blast 'appears to have been caused by the other team' as he stands alongside Israeli PM

It comes as fears grow European cities could be the target of terror attacks in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On Tuesday, the Palace of Versailles was briefly evacuated for the second time in four days following a bomb threat.

German police at the scene of an attack on a synagogue in Berlin
German police at the scene of an attack on a synagogue in Berlin. Picture: Getty

It follows a terror attack by a man in Belgium on Monday evening, in which two people were gunned down and a third was injured.

The terror suspect opened fire at two Swedish football fans wearing their national team's shirt, before later claiming he was a member of Isis.

Meanwhile, the stabbing of a teacher in France last week was described by authorities as a terror attack. The knife attack left one person dead and several others injured.

According to France's interior minister, the attack was linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Two people were killed in a terror attack in Brussels on Monday
Two people were killed in a terror attack in Brussels on Monday. Picture: Getty

Both France and Belgium have been put on the highest terror alert, which may also occur in the UK in the wake of the Middle Eastern conflict.

Speaking to LBC, Chris Phillips, who also served as a Detective Chief Inspector in the Metropolitan Police, outlined the impact that events in the Middle East, teamed with recent acts of terror in Belgium and France, are likely to have on MI5's assessment of the likelihood of an attack in the UK.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Jack Fincham.

Love Island star admits to feeling like a 'failure' after spending '£1 million on drugs, alcohol and gambling'

Westminster Abbey and Church House

Church of England meeting at time of ‘unprecedented crisis’ after scandals and historical abuse claims

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing

easyJet flight forced to make emergency landing after pilot collapses on board

Joel Verite was among the first on the scene of the Southport knife attack where three girls were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party.

Southport hero who came face-to-face with Rudakubana as he rushed to save dying girls says it was 'like a horror film'

Labour vows to punish any other MP or minister caught up in Andrew Gwynne WhatsApp group scandal

Labour vows to punish any MP caught up in Andrew Gwynne WhatsApp group scandal

Donald Trump has spoken to Vladimir Putin

Trump confirms he 'spoke to Putin about ending war in Ukraine' as Russian president 'wants to see people stop dying'

displaced Gazans walking toward Gaza City on January 27, 2025, after crossing the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli troops withdraw from key militarised corridor that splits Gaza in two as part of ceasefire deal

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, on Thursday afternoon.

Mysterious death of British couple in French villa suspected murder-suicide as investigators consider new theories

David Schwimmer has called for Elon Musk to ban Kanye West from X

Friends star David Schwimmer calls for Kanye West to be banned from X over 'hate-filled, ignorant' remarks

The NTSB recovers the debris of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in a mid-air collision near DCA in Arlington, VA.

All major parts of DC plane and Black Hawk helicopter involved in mid-air collision recovered, investigators confirm

A Thai hostage who was freed from Hamas, Pongsak Thaenna, hugs a relative upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

'We never gave up hope': Freed Thai hostages in tears of joy as they reunite with families after more than a year

Harry and Meghan at the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games.

Meghan and Prince Harry cheer on Team UK at Invictus Games opening ceremony

Daisy the Labrador.

Stolen dog reunited with family after seven years

Irish boxer John Cooney.

Boxer dies from a brain bleed, from injury during championship fight

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting

Kanye West.

Rapper Kanye West advertises t-shirt featuring a Nazi swastika, after 'antisemitic rampage' on X