Asger Risom
Thousands of students sent home after neo-Nazi messages spark safety fears in Duisburg
In an increasingly fragile security climate across Europe, a fresh wave of extremist threats has forced German authorities to take immediate action to protect students.
On Monday, 15 schools in Duisburg, a city in western Germany, remained closed after receiving far-right threats.
Nearly 18,000 Students Affected
According to local officials, the closures impacted 17,980 students. Signs reading “school closed” were seen outside several affected institutions Monday morning, as reported by Digi24.
The alarm was raised after the Gesamtschule Duisburg-Mitte received a written note on Friday containing “threatening and far-right extremist statements,” police confirmed.
A second note followed on Sunday, this time referencing additional schools as potential targets for criminal acts.
While the identity of the sender remains unknown, police and the local state security service believe the threats may be a hoax. Nevertheless, school authorities opted for remote learning on Monday as a precautionary measure.
Rising Concerns Over Extremism
This incident adds to a growing list of extremist threats disrupting public life in Germany, especially those tied to right-wing ideology.
Though no actual attack occurred, the situation reflects heightened sensitivities in the wake of recent security incidents and increasing political polarization across Europe.
Authorities continue to investigate the source of the messages, with enhanced vigilance expected in educational institutions throughout the region.