Xinmin Secondary bomb scare: It all started with a note found in a classroom

A note found by a teacher in a Secondary 3 classroom was what prompted Xinmin Secondary School to initiate an emergency evacuation on Thursday (Aug 13), reported Lianhe Zaobao. 

Several students told the Chinese daily that they were all evacuated to the school field but were initially unaware of what was happening. 

They later learned that a teacher had reportedly found a note in a Secondary 3 classroom, prompting the school to activate its emergency procedures. 

A staff member said that the school provided drinks while teachers and students waited in the assembly area, but no one was allowed to return to the school buildings while checks were underway, reported the Chinese newspaper. 

Those who needed to use the restroom had to reportedly go through the school gate beside the field to neighbouring Xinmin Primary School. 

The staff member, who initially thought it was a routine drill, said several police officers arrived at the field and spoke to some students.

However, when he returned to the campus about an hour later, he was shocked to find six police cars parked on the school grounds. He later heard about the alleged bomb threat, reported Lianhe Zaobao. 

He added that the police searched the third floor of the school before leaving about half an hour later. 

Police investigations ongoing

A notice shared by the school to parents and guardians via the Parents Gateway portal said the school had been notified of the threat and activated an emergency evacuation at around 8.28am, reported Lianhe Zaobao.

Xinmin's principal Tan Soon Hui previously told AsiaOne that all students and staff were evacuated to the school's designated assembly area in a swift and orderly manner, and that they are safe and have been accounted for.

The school added that they are working closely with the police on the investigations into the incident.

In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police said on Thursday that they were alerted to the potential bomb threat incident at about 8.20am. 

They confirmed that no suspicious item was found after a thorough check was conducted at the premises. 

The case is currently under investigation for communicating false information of a harmful thing.

The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, a fine which may extend to $50,000, or both.

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