Minors arrested over false bomb threats at schools, asylum center in Groningen, Drenthe

Dutch police arrested two minors Thursday in connection with false bomb threats targeting five schools and a COA asylum accommodation in Groningen and Drenthe earlier that day. Authorities indicated that additional arrests are possible.

The threats were made by phone within an hour and initially prompted concern at three schools in Hoogezand, a school in the city of Groningen, a school in Emmen, and an asylum center in Eelde.

The schools in Hoogezand and Emmen were temporarily evacuated, but after police conducted searches, students were allowed to return to class. Because the six threats were identical, officials decided not to evacuate the other locations.

Police said the two minors are currently being questioned, but they declined to release the identities of the suspects. “The suspects are being interrogated, and we are not ruling out further arrests,” a police spokesperson said.