About 160 schools in Northern Ireland receive bomb threats, some evacuated

LONDON, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- About 160 schools across Northern Ireland received bomb threats by email on Monday, prompting evacuations and school closures, local authorities said.

Northern Ireland's Education Minister Paul Givan said the emails claimed explosive devices had been planted inside school buildings and contained references to Islamic law.

Givan said the threats were not being treated as credible, although they had caused widespread alarm and disruption to education.

Several schools, including St Colman's Primary School in Lambeg and Greenisland Primary School, were evacuated following the threats.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that it had received reports of threatening emails sent to a number of schools and was conducting urgent inquiries.

Police said they were working closely with the affected schools and would provide further updates.

Northern Ireland's Education Authority said it was liaising with police and had issued guidance to schools, while continuing to support school leaders, staff, pupils and families.

The origin of the threatening emails remains unclear. Similar threats were sent to schools in the Republic of Ireland last week.