Bomb Threats Rock Rostov‑on‑Don During World Cup Chaos
What happened: Early Wednesday, the police in Rostov‑on‑Don got a flurry of bomb calls. The city’s clubs and eateries were swept out, and the authorities had to jump into action.
Police Response
- Police got the calls on June 26 and ran a sweep gas‑detection for anything suspicious.
- No real threats were discovered – “everything checks out,” the local squad said.
- All World Cup venues are back on track and sizzling as usual.
Why the fuss matters
Russia has been feeling a bit left out on the world stage, so this World Cup is a big chance to show the world it’s steady and strong. Any bomb scare could crash Moscow’s big plans for a safe, smooth event.
The Evacuation Drill
At around 20:00 UTC, a policeman from the Topos Congress‑Hotel declared a full evacuation – 16 spots in the city went under a “bubble” play‑by‑play test. The manager at the Luciano Italian restaurant was dragged to the exit after a “best‑of‑unknown” call alleging a bomb. They were locked out for roughly two hours.
“There was a stranger’s call, they said there’d be a bomb in the building,” said the manager (kept their name under wraps). They didn’t have the clearance to speak to the media.
Next Steps in the Game
Rostov‑on‑Don, 955 km (593 miles) south of Moscow, already hosted four World Cup matches, including Croatia’s 2‑1 win over Iceland. The next clash is slated for Monday.
Nearby Tension
Being only a hop away from Russia’s border in Ukraine, where Moscow‑backed rebels have been battling since 2014, the city was already on edge before the tournament. It’s a logistical nightmare – with the Topos Congress‑Hotel listed as an official hotel but not hosting any teams.
Sniffer dogs smelled the air, police questioned huddled street‑side crowds, and about 60 evacuees stood in line waiting to get back inside.
Historically, Russia’s Been Haunted by Hoax Bomb Threats
Last summer, a blizzard of bogus calls rattled shops and public spots across the country. In October, the Federal Security Service pinpointed four Russian citizens living abroad who’d been dialing in the fake alerts using internet phone services.
In short, the World Cup’s a rollercoaster – full of bright scores and the occasional lurid scare. Officials say they’ve got it all under control, but organizers are still on their toes.