Hoax bomb threat disrupts Kochi banks, authorities investigate origin

Kochi: A bomb threat was reported at City Union Bank branches in Kochi city on Monday after an email warning of an explosion was received at two locations, prompting an immediate security response.

Police said the threat message, received via email in the morning, claimed that explosives, including ammonium nitrate, had been planted at the bank and warned of an imminent blast. The email was sent in the name of the CPI (Maoist) organisation.

Following the alert, police, bomb disposal squads and dog squads carried out detailed inspections at City Union Bank branches, including those at Mamangalam and Ernakulam South. Officials said no suspicious materials were found during the searches.

Preliminary assessments indicate the message is likely a hoax, police said, adding that investigations are continuing to trace the source of the email.

Reports also suggest that similar bomb threat emails were sent to City Union Bank branches in other districts, triggering parallel security checks in parts of Tamil Nadu and Palakkad district in Kerala. Authorities confirmed that no explosives or suspicious objects have been detected at any of the locations inspected so far.