Bomb threats made against several schools in Trinidad and Tobago

PORT OF SPAIN, (CMC):

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the national security minister, Fitzgerald Hinds, Friday warned those responsible for sending bomb threats by emails to schools across the island that they would be pursued and dealt with according to law.

Several schools were evacuated as the threats were received around 8 a.m. (local time) and Hinds, who was addressing a function here, said “the bomb threats are not being taken lightly and therefore the police, the Fire Service and the other elements (of security) are already engaged in treating “with the situation”.

Police said they had received 10 reports of bomb threats of schools on both islands and that “preliminary reports indicate that these threats were sent to schools via email.

ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING

In the messages sent to the schools, they were informed that “explosives are planted … the buildings” and that they intend to “kill everyone”.

“No one will be left alive. Trinidad will bleed, soon, very soon a sea of blood will be spilled,” the message added. The TTPS said it is “actively investigating all such reports, as these incidents are treated as high priority. Additionally, the matter is currently engaging the attention of the Cyber Crime Unit, the Special Branch, our bomb technicians and all divisional commanders where affected schools are located.

“The TTPS is also warning all persons who are responsible for these threats that these matters will be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” the police warned.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), Martin Lum Kin, said schools across the country were dismissed as his members are not taking any chances.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education “strongly” condemned the bomb threats made to several schools resulting in the evacuation of students.