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Three schools near Tampere evacuated after bomb threat

Three schools have been closed and 1,200 students have been sent home after a bomb threat was called in to a school in Pirkkala, near Tampere.

Poliiseja ja ambulanssi Pirkkalassa tiistaina 20. maaliskuuta.
Police and ambulance in Pirkkala on March 20. Image: Kalle Parkkinen / Lehtikuva

Three schools were evacuated on Tuesday morning in the town of Pirkkala, near Tampere, after a bomb threat.

Students from Pirkkala upper secondary school, Suupanniitty lower secondary school and Naistenmatka primary school who were already on school grounds have been moved to the local community centre, and the school buildings have been closed.

The Central Finland Police Department said on Twitter that the buildings were being searched to eliminate any danger.

Police said on Wednesday they are looking for a cyclist, around 180cm tall and dressed in dark clothes, who delivered the threat to school staff members early Wednesday morning.

Barring any further developments, school authorities said that Wednesday would be a normal school day and crisis aid will be available to students.

Story continue after photograph

Marita Intonen, head master of Suupanniitty upper secondary school, told Yle Tampere that approximately 1,200 students have been sent home. She says the evacuation occurred in a calm manner. Some of the younger children moved to the community centre were set to continue their school day there, accompanied by school staff members.

Police told the schools to refrain from stating the specific nature of the threat for the time being, but principal Intonen informed parents that a bomb threat was called in at around 7:40 am.

The schools have advised people to avoid the school grounds for the time being.

Pirkkala
Image: Yle Tampere

The story was updated to add details of the threat.

Sources: Yle

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