21/02/24
Pacific Pines State High School bomb hoax email sparks counter-terrorism probe to find culprit
The origin of an email falsely claiming there was a bomb at a Gold Coast school is now subject to a counter-terrorism investigation.
Pacific Pines State High School administrators received the email at 6.30am on Tuesday.
“It was very non-specific, other than to say there was a bomb within the school,” District Duty Officer Mitch Gray told reporters.
The origin of an email falsely claiming there was a bomb at a Gold Coast school is now subject to a counter-terrorism investigation.
Pacific Pines State High School administrators received the email at 6.30am on Tuesday.
“It was very non-specific, other than to say there was a bomb within the school,” District Duty Officer Mitch Gray told reporters.
Police were called about 7am, at which time the school posted on social media for people to stay away from the school ahead of regular drop-off time.
“This is not a drill. Please do not enter school grounds,” the post read.
Officers “systematically” scoured the school before declaring no bomb was on-site, Gray said.
“We treat every bomb threat like it’s real until we prove it’s not,” he said.
The school lifted the lockdown after about an hour, with another post saying, “We have been given the all clear, it is safe to proceed as usual for the school day.”
The police counter-terrorism unit is involved in the investigation into the source of the email, Gray said.
“Hopefully, today, we’ll have more leads as to where that originated from and the person who’s sent that email,” he said.
An education department spokesperson said “any situation that threatens” the safety of the school body is “treated extremely seriously”.
“Emergency services were immediately contacted and inspected the school during a brief precautionary evacuation before the Queensland Police Service gave the all-clear for the school day to proceed as usual,” the spokesperson said.
“Staff, students and members of the school community were safe during this time.
“Parents and carers have been informed.”
Related Links
Back to index