(The Situation Update Report [SUR] is a near real-time brief of a possible threat or situation being monitored by The Counter Threat Center. The information is accurate at the time of reporting, but may be subject to change.)
Flavie Curinier, Sebastien Chapel, Lucrezia Taddei
Cameron Munoz, Senior Editor
October 18, 2023
Map of France Bomb Threats[1]
Current Situation: Several bomb threats have been made in French critical infrastructures. The following airports received threats:
The Louvre Museum and the Château de Versailles also received bomb threats earlier this week via emails, anonymous phone calls, and preventive police platforms.[16] Police and military forces searched every infrastructure to avoid any risks of casualties.[17] The significant increase in threats towards France came a week after a terrorist mass stabbing attack perpetrated by Mohammed M., who killed a teacher, Dominique Bernard, in Arras, Hauts-de-France. Consequently, Minister of Interior Gérald Darmanin has raised the terrorist threat in France to its highest level and has deployed the Vigipirate plan. The terrorist, who pledged allegiance to ISIS, is suspected to have been triggered by the current geopolitical context and the Israeli-Hamas War.[18]
Day/Time of event: October 14 and 18, 2023
What is the current threat:
Bomb threats at airports will very likely create extensive disruptions because these facilities play a crucial role in daily domestic and international travel. Delays and cancellations will likely affect passengers' schedules and can lead to financial losses for both travelers and airlines.
Disruptions, such as closures and evacuations from museums, will likely hinder public access to valuable cultural resources, and result in financial setbacks. These disruptions are likely to have psychological effects on visitors and employees, diminishing the sense of security and likely discouraging people from engaging in cultural activities or visiting public spaces.
Thousands of people in potentially unsafe areas, in front of infrastructures, when evacuated, can likely become easier targets for both real threats and potential panic-related incidents.
Tourism will likely be affected due to security threats, and fear among tourists will very likely discourage travel to France, resulting in a decline in tourism revenue and related sectors, such as hospitality.
Multiple bomb threats in several French airports and locations will likely cause disruptions by triggering evacuations, security sweeps, and heightened alerts. These actions will very likely divert the resources and attention of security services, including law enforcement, airport personnel, and emergency responders, away from their routine duties to address potential security risks.
Who will it directly impact:
French citizens
French government
French security services
International tourists
Airports’ staff
Museums’ staff
Airline companies
The Counter Threat Center (CTC) is providing regular updates on the evolving situation and war between Israel and Hamas. This report is being provided under our Global Public Good mandate to assist in providing situational awareness and actionable intelligence to protect and save lives. If you or your organization need intelligence reports of this kind and more to protect you, your people, or your organization please subscribe. Try us for 7 days free. We work each day to detect, deter, and defeat terrorism and threats that cause harm through intelligence and other solutions. Click here to learn more: https://www.counterthreatcenter.com/subscriptions
[1] Lucrezia Taddei via Google Maps
[2] Prefetrhone, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[3] NicholaKerrSmall, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[4] Fl360aero, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[5] AeroportNice, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[6] Bomb threat in progress, Aéroport Toulouse Bergerac, October 2023, https://www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/evenement-exceptionnel
[7] Aeroport_Lille, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[8] AviationSourceNews, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[9] RennesOnline, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[10] CTG Threat Hunter via X
[11] F3Occitanie, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[12] GuillaumeSgt, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[13] Ibid
[14] Aéroport Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées, from Facebook, via CyberHUMINT
[15] CTG Threat Hunter via X
[16] CVersailles, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[17] CBeaune, from X, via CyberHUMINT
[18] FLASH ALERT: FRANCE DEPLOYS 7,000 TROOPS AS TENSIONS ESCALATE FOLLOWING SCHOOL TEACHER'S MURDER, by Kiara Alexander, Lydia Baccino, William Bos, Maria Laka, Vivan Negi, Naomi Whipps