Hundreds of schools in several European countries received false bomb alerts. It is not known what connection there is between these incidents

Hundreds of schools in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Hungary and Serbia received false bomb alert messages on Monday, leading to the evacuation of some institutions. Authorities have not yet determined whether the incidents are connected.

In Northern Ireland, up to 300 schools reported receiving the same email. Police announced that the message originated outside the United Kingdom and classified the threat as a hoax. Education Minister Paul Givan said the message referred to the imposition of Islamic law and claimed that explosive devices were present in schools. Some institutions were closed.

Scottish police also announced an investigation into threatening messages sent to several schools, which they consider hoaxes.

In Hungary, emails sent to local media outlets claimed that bombs had been placed in more than 70 schools. Several institutions were evacuated, but no explosive device was found. Interior Minister Gabor Posfai said the threats had proved unfounded. In Serbia, more than 100 schools received similar alerts, according to public broadcaster RTS.