University of Texas at Austin, North Dakota State University Evacuated After Bomb Threats
Caller Claimed al-Qaeda Affiliation
The University of Texas at Austin and North Dakota State University have both been evacuated after phone threats were called into each university, claiming that there were bombs across campus. The threats come when there is a great deal of unrest in the country, due to the actions of several Libyan people, as well as growing unrest across the Middle East and Africa.
A man with a Middle Eastern accent phoned the school at 8:35 a.m. to report his having place several bombs throughout the campus, according to University of Texas' director of communications. The buildings have since been evacuated, and students were told to "get as far away as possible."
Rhonda Weldon also revealed that the anonymous caller claimed to be a part of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization before warning that the bombs would detonate within 90 minutes. So far, no bombs have gone off, and no explosives have been found on campus.
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In a similar manner, North Dakota State University demanded: "all employees and students leave campus by 10:15 a.m. This also includes the downtown buildings and agricultural facilities. NDSU received a bomb threat, prompting this evacuation," read the message sent to all personnel and students.
A message on the University of Texas' website provides information on emergency contacts as well as the campus' Emergency Preparedness plan. The same urgent message can be found on the North Dakota State University.
Any time a bomb threat is called in, it is a school's responsibility to take the threat seriously, but right now is an especially important time. Earlier this week an American ambassador was killed by a group of Libyan insurgents, and uprisings have spread throughout the area.
While there has been talk that an inflammatory movie, "The Innocence of Muslims" has led to growing resentment by Islamic nations, but there is also the timing of its release. The Libyan faction of al-Qaeda recently mourned the loss of its second-in-command, causing even greater instability and increasing the potential for violence.
Students at both schools should receive updates about their campus' status, and The Christian Post will continue to follow this breaking story.
