Queensland schools evacuated after bomb threats

UPDATE: One child was taken to hospital from heat exhaustion as several schools in Queensland, NSW and ACT were evacuated after a series of bomb threats.

TSV Generic Emergency Services. Police, Ambulance, Fire, QFRS, Crocodile warning sign, Handcuffs, Police tape, Lights, Police Aware, Fire Hose, Fire kit, Rescue, Radio, Lifepac, Ambulance kit, Markings.

ONE child was taken to hospital with heat exhaustion after several schools were evacuated following a series of bomb threats.

Ten schools in Queensland, a number of schools in Sydney and two in Canberra all received threatening phone calls today.

The threats follow a number of similar calls made to schools in Sydney and also in Melbourne yesterday.

A Queensland Police spokesman told news.com.au an operation was under way. “We are responding to numerous threats, similar to what happened in Sydney and Melbourne.”

The spokesman said callers had mentioned bombs, but he couldn’t provide anymore details. He was also unable to say how widespread the threats were.

At the same time as many as nine schools had been evacuated in Sydney, Nine News reported.

Bounty Boulevard State School in North Lakes is among the Brisbane schools to be evacuated, the Courier Mail reported. A school in Townsville is also reportedly being searched.

Police are searching Town High after a bomb scare was called this morning. @tsv_bulletin pic.twitter.com/TNQx3I0hkB

— Chris McMahon (@ChrisTheJourno1) February 2, 2016

In a statement, NSW Police said it was clear the hoax calls were designed to cause disruption and attract media attention.

“There is no evidence these are anything other than hoaxes designed to causing unnecessary disruption and inconvenience. The threats appear to come from overseas with no credible evidence they could be carried out here.”

The purpose and exact source of the threats wasn’t clear but was being investigated by the State Crime Command’s Fraud and Cybercrime Unit.

Two schools in Canberra were also evacuated following similar threats but have since re-opened.

UPDATE: Richardson PS and @MilesFranklinPS also evacuated. @ACTEducation working with @ACTPolicing

— ACT Public Schools (@ACTEducation) February 2, 2016