The National Crisis Center (NCCN) was informed of a potential threat made to secondary schools. The situation is being closely monitored by the services involved and preventive measures have been taken, the NCCN said in a press release on Wednesday evening.
The NCCN asks for “increased vigilance” in all schools “across the country” and to report any suspicious situation. The general threat level 3 currently applies. The police services were informed about these measures. An investigation into the nature of this threat is ongoing.
A spokesperson for the NCCN contacted by Belga confirms that all secondary schools in Belgium are involved. They can decide for themselves about additional measures, such as closing on Thursday. The Flemish secondary schools and Dutch-speaking education in Brussels are currently having Easter holidays. French-speaking schools do have lessons as usual.
Flemish Minister of Education Ben Weyts (N-VA) asks for “more careful handling of disturbing messages”. “If we sound the alarm too quickly, it could be detrimental to future, real threats, which may then be less believed,” he says.
According to OCAD, the threat analysis body, the threat email is “unlikely”. Several schools received a threatening email, but according to the OCAD it is “not credible based on the available information”. Threat level 3 remains in force, the OCAD says.
“Don’t give in to panic”
In the province of Liège, the mayors of several municipalities (Bitsingen, Blegny, Dalhem, Juprelle, Oupeye and Wezet) have announced that educational institutions in their territory will not close on Thursday.
Basse-Meuse police zone in Liège says it is taking measures near schools. “Our children can go there in complete safety,” a press release said. The police also say they are aware of the concern the news may cause, but ask not to give in to panic.
The federal police informed Belga that it would not yet respond to the news.
Threat level three: threat possible and probable
In Belgium, the threat level remains unchanged at 3. This means that the threat is “serious”. The police forces are extra vigilant and are increasing their presence. Additional measures can be taken at specific locations.
The threat level in Belgium has been at that level since October 16, after the attack in Brussels in which two Swedish football fans were killed. The level has been maintained since then, partly due to tensions in the Middle East and an increase in anti-Semitism. The highest threat level, level 4, implies that the threat is “very serious and imminent”.
