HK stages counterterrorism drill to strengthen city’s response to terrorist and biochemical attacks
Hong Kong staged a counter-terrorism exercise on Thursday afternoon to strengthen the city’s response to terrorist and biochemical attacks.
The drill, co-organized by Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department, took place at the Passenger Clearance Building of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, with about 100 officers from both disciplinary forces participating.
The first scenario simulated the identification of a passenger suspected to be related to terrorist activities during Customs clearance at the Passenger Clearance Building. The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit was immediately informed of the incident for follow-up action.
Meanwhile, a second scenario demonstrated the effective activation of the contingency response plan by Customs officers against a biochemical attack attempted by a radical at the Passenger Clearance Building.
Customs officers evacuated the building in an orderly and safe manner after subduing the attacker. FSD officers sped to the scene upon being summoned to mount a rescue operation and handle the hazardous material.
The disciplinary forces said the drill aimed to raise frontline officers' awareness of counter-terrorism and their capability to handle counter-terrorism intelligence.
“The exercise also served to enhance the coordination and communication between the two departments and strengthen the response capabilities of the officers in the event of terrorist incidents for better protecting the lives and property of the public,” said a government spokesperson.