France, already under its highest security alert, has decided to reinforce security measures at airports in and around the capital and on railway systems, according to the transport minister’s statement on Sunday.
Minister Clement Beaune announced on France Inter that security patrols at Paris airports would see a 40% increase, while staff at the national railway company SNCF would be bolstered by 20%. Additionally, extra police presence will be deployed to patrol railway stations.
Pointing to the historical vulnerability of transport networks to attacks in France and Europe, Beaune emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting that alongside the increased risk, there have been instances of individuals “playing with fear.” These instances refer to the recent wave of false bomb alerts impacting transportation systems, educational institutions, and cultural centers over the past week.
According to Beaune, since last Wednesday, approximately 70 bomb hoaxes have been reported in French airports, with the majority originating from a single Swiss-based email address. Perpetrators of false alerts can face severe penalties, with potential prison sentences of up to two or three years, along with hefty fines ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 euros depending on the nature of the threat.
Beaune emphasized that these hoaxes should not be dismissed as mere pranks but treated as serious criminal acts warranting thorough investigation. The Palace of Versailles, located outside Paris, was evacuated for security checks for the seventh time in the last eight days, reinstating its operations two hours later, as confirmed by a spokesperson.
