Around 300 schools have been evacuated in Italy on Wednesday, after they all received the same bomb alert message.
Italian Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara told local news that the number of schools impacted could rise.
“Following a nationwide bomb alert, we wish to inform you that all students have been taken to a safe area and remain under the supervision of teaching staff," one school in Rome informed parents.
The email was signed "Mikhail Andropov, leader of the Vilayat of Misoginistan," according to a government source with knowledge of the matter.
Italian police forces are investigating the matter, a spokesperson for Rome police said.
The security alert came amid rising concerns in Europe about so-called hybrid warfare threats which have targeted supermarkets, blood banks, air traffic and TV broadcasters.
In Northern Ireland, police are conducting inquires after threatening emails were also sent to hundreds of schools on Wednesday.
The Education Authority (EA) said the email has similarities to hoax threats sent to up to 300 schools across the region last month.
“At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of any credible threat to schools,” the EA said. “Investigations are continuing. It is for PSNI to determine the credibility or otherwise of any such message.
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