The Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) jointly held a counter-terrorism and hazardous material incident exercise code-named "DEFENCE" this morning (May 31) at the cross-boundary coach parking bay outside the Passenger Clearance Building of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.

     About 80 officers from the FSD and the HKPF participated in the exercise. The exercise simulated the members of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit of the HKPF intercepting and subduing a male adult who had attempted to launch a terrorist attack at the cross-boundary coach parking bay outside the Passenger Clearance Building of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port, and discovering some chemicals inside the suspect's car. In the course of the arrest, the suspect was injured by the splashing of the chemicals that he carried, and two passers-by were also suspected to be injured by the subject chemicals. The HKPF immediately summoned the FSD for follow-up action. The FSD officers sped to the scene for handling the injured, and the Hazardous Materials Team was deployed to handle the chemicals concerned and carry out decontamination procedures.

     Through the exercise, the FSD and the HKPF aimed to raise frontline officers' capability to handle terrorist incidents involving hazardous materials. The exercise also served to enhance the co-ordination and communication between the two departments and strengthen the response capabilities of the officers in the event of emergency for better protecting the lives and property of the public.

Ends/Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:45

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