Hundreds evacuated from East Adelaide School after bomb threat

Police are investigating a growing number of bomb threats made at SA schools, with one grandfather speaking outside the grounds after rushing to evacuate his grandkids.

Bomb threats have been made to multiple schools across South Australia on Tuesday morning.

It is understood East Adelaide School in St Peters was placed into lockdown following the threat but students have since been allowed to return.

During the incident, principal Vicki Stravinski informed parents that students who were already at school would be evacuated from the site.

East Adelaide School principal Vicki Stravinski advised families to keep children at home after it received a bomb threat via email. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

Ms Stravinski’s statement via email said the Education Department had advised all families to keep their children at home as the matter is ongoing.

“We will notify you as soon as possible about children being able to attend,” the letter to parents said.

“Students who are already at the school for OSHC or sports training will be managed by staff and evacuated off site as per our emergency procedures.”

The primary school has a current enrolment of about 600 students from Foundation to Year 6.

East Adelaide School students Ziggy and Indi (seven and nine years old), were told not to attend school until the ordeal was over, their grandfather Frank Ali said.

Frank Ali drops his Grandchildren Indi, nine, and Ziggy, seven, to East Adelaide School in St Peter’s Adelaide, where families were advised to keep children at home after it received a bomb threat. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

“You have to take it seriously but I tried to keep the kids calm,” Mr Ali, 69, from Payneham South, said.

“They asked lots of questions like what if they couldn’t find it (the bomb).”

Mr Ali, a retired school principal, said although his grandchildren were scared, he “reassured” them as he had dealt with similar situations in the past.

“I told them very calmly and tried not to heighten any concerns,” he said.

In a statement, the Education Department said that they were “aware that a number of automated calls and emails” were sent to schools making threats.

“Out of an abundance of caution, East Adelaide Primary School issued an alert to parents today, however there is no evidence that this school is facing any specific threat,” a department spokeswoman said.

Students return to East Adelaide School in St Peter’s, after families were advised to keep children at home after it received a bomb threat via email. Picture: Emma Brasier

“The department is not aware of any evidence of a specific risk at any location at this time.

“Police have advised that schools should carry out normal protocols around security if they are the recipient of one of these threats.

“The safety of students and staff is paramount for the department, our schools and preschools.”

South Australian Police confirmed in a statement that the threats have been made to multiple schools and health care facilities across the state over the last week, and “more increasingly” in the last 24 hours.

“Police have commenced an investigation in relation to the source of these threats, and will prosecute any individual identified to be involved in the dissemination of these threats,” an SA Police spokeswoman said.

“Police remind the public to be aware of any suspicious activity and contact 131444 to report any suspicious behaviour.

Businesses are reminded to carry out normal protocols around security if they are the recipient of one of these threats.”