France is increasing security measures for air and rail transportation due to a recent increase in fake bomb threats.

The transportation minister announced on Sunday that France, which is currently on high security alert, will increase security at airports in the Paris area and on trains due to a series of false bomb threats.

Minister Clement Beaune announced on France Inter that there will be a 40% increase in security patrols at Paris airports and a 20% reinforcement of staff at the national railway company SNCF. This is in addition to extra police patrolling railway stations.

France has been on heightened alert since October 13th following the fatal stabbing of a teacher in the northern city of Arras by a 20-year-old man.

According to Mr. Beaune, transportation systems have been frequent targets of attacks in both our country and Europe throughout history.

In addition to the increased danger, he noted that there were individuals instilling fear by causing false bomb scares in transportation systems, schools, and cultural establishments in the past week.

On Wednesday, it was reported that there have been 70 false bomb threats at French airports, with the majority coming from a single email address based in Switzerland.

Making false alarms is typically punishable by a prison sentence of two years and a fine of 30,000 euros. However, if the alarm includes a threat, the punishment may increase to three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros.

According to Mr. Beaune’s statement on France Inter, hoaxes are not to be taken lightly and are considered as serious offenses that will be thoroughly looked into.

The spokesperson for the Palace of Versailles has announced that due to security concerns, the palace was vacated on Sunday at noon for the seventh time in the past eight days. It reopened two hours later after proper inspections were conducted.