A wave of hoax bomb threats that has disrupted air travel across Europe for three days spread to television stations on Friday, forcing evacuations, programme suspensions and flight diversions.

Broadcasters in Ireland, Britain and Bulgaria were among those targeted. Irish national broadcaster RTE evacuated its Dublin offices after an emailed threat said a bomb would go off within 45 minutes. Programmes were replaced by music and pre-recorded messages for up to three hours before staff were allowed back. Britain's Sky and Bulgaria's Nova TV also received security threats, and no explosives were found at any of the sites.

Flights diverted and escorted

The threats to broadcasters followed days of disruption in the air. A Wizz Air flight from Prague to Rome was diverted to Venice on Friday after a bomb scare, while Danish police investigated renewed threats at Copenhagen airport. Earlier in the week, flights were forced into unplanned landings and some were escorted by fighter jets.

Prague airport reported nine threatened flights on Friday alone, and threats were also reported in France, Italy, Spain, Poland and other countries. Aviation experts say the coordination and timing of the messages is unusual, even though bomb threats against airlines are not new.

No explosives found

No explosive device has been found on any affected aircraft or at any broadcaster so far, and every threat must still be treated as real until it is investigated. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said security agencies had not yet determined whether the threats were the work of individuals or part of a coordinated attack. Investigations are continuing across several countries, and airlines face extra costs from diversions, security sweeps, rebooking and crew disruption.

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