13-Year-Old Boy Detained for Hundreds of Bomb Threats in Western Brittany

Police in the western Brittany region have detained a 13-year-old boy who they believe is responsible for hundreds of bomb threats that have kept France on tenterhooks since the autumn. An investigation was launched on Thursday to determine the teen’s connection to a series of at least 380 hoax bomb threats, according to the public prosecutor’s office in Rennes and the newspaper Le Parisien.

The boy is suspected of making bomb threats throughout France, targeting airports, courthouses, and universities. These threats have caused widespread panic and disruption across the country.

During questioning, the boy admitted that his actions were driven by “playfulness” and had no political or religious motives, as confirmed by the public prosecutor’s office.

The 13-year-old student, who is now in custody, reportedly suffers from a personality disorder. Prior to this incident, he had already been given a one-year educational measure, as reported by the Ouest-France newspaper.

Initially, the boy’s entire family was taken into police custody, but they were later released after further investigation.

Louvre and Versailles Palace Evacuated After Bomb Threats in France

The autumn witnessed a spate of false bomb threats in France, causing significant disruptions without clear motives or classification by authorities. These threats emerged following a deadly attack by a young Islamist on a teacher in northern France and the start of the Gaza war.

No specific threats or political references were ever identified, but authorities often attributed these incidents to young individuals. Shocking videos of school evictions related to the threats went viral on social media platforms, garnering millions of views.

Airports were paralyzed for days due to the threats, and even the popular tourist attraction, Versailles Palace, was frequently affected.