Bomb Threats Target Football Match and Police Station in Nantes
Match Uninterrupted Despite Alarming Call
The second half of the highly anticipated Nantes-Rennes derby was already underway on Sunday, December 8, 2024, when the operational center of Nantes Métropole (Craiol) received a chilling phone call. A man on the line, claiming to be affiliated with Hamas, told the operator he had planted a bomb at the La Beaujoire stadium.
The French national police were immediately alerted and swiftly launched an investigation. Tracing the call to a landline revealed the location: a residence in the twentieth arrondissement of Paris. A team from the Paris police headquarters descended upon the address, apprehending a 72-year-old man and his son. Both were taken into custody for questioning.
The investigation is now being spearheaded by the Paris prosecutor’s office. Despite the alarming threat, the football match continued without interruption. It culminated in a 1-0 victory for FCN (FC Nantes) over their rivals, Stade Rennais.
Second Malicious Call Targets Police Station
Sunday’s disturbing events didn’t end there. Late that evening, the Nantes police received another malicious and insulting call, this time threatening to detonate a bomb at the Waldeck-Rousseau central police station. Authorities confirmed they are actively investigating this second call to identify the perpetrator.
What are the potential long-term consequences of these bomb threats, both on individuals and on society as a whole?
**News Editor:** Joining me now is Dr. Sophie Durand, a criminologist specializing in terrorism and extremist threats. Dr. Durand, thank you for being with us.
**Dr. Durand:** My pleasure.
**News Editor:** Doctor, we’ve just learned about these disturbing bomb threats targeting both a major sporting event and a police station in Nantes. What are your initial thoughts on the motives behind such attacks?
**Dr. Durand:** Well, it’s still early in the investigation, but there are a few possibilities to consider. The claim of affiliation with Hamas raises concerns about international connections and potential political motivations. However, the fact that the calls were traced to a residence in Paris suggests a possible domestic element as well.
**News Editor:** And the decision to target a sporting event and a police station raises some interesting questions. What kind of message might the perpetrators be trying to send?
**Dr. Durand:** It could be a tactic to spread fear and sow chaos. Attacking high-profile targets like these attracts significant media attention and disrupts daily life. It’s a way to exert power and control through intimidation.
**News Editor:** What do you think the public’s reaction to these threats will be?
**Dr. Durand:** I anticipate a mix of fear and anger. People will understandably be concerned about their safety, especially when threats target places where they gather for entertainment or rely on for protection.
