1467 Drill to include suicide bombing at the Colosseum

Seems like it'll be a good idea to stay out of Rome next week!

(ANSA) - Rome, September 28 - A fake suicide bomber at the Colosseum and a simulated explosion in the deepest part of the underground train system will feature in a major anti-terrorism drill in Rome next week .

The drill will take place on Monday, with three 'attacks' staged to test the responsiveness and efficiency of emergency services in the event of a real terrorist strike .

Rome's day of simulated terror will begin at 9.30 in the morning when a suicide bomber - a life-size dummy stuffed with firecrackers - will blow himself up among a crowd of tourists near the Colosseum .

Ten minutes later, a 'bomb' will go off in a train at the underground station of La Repubblica, which is the deepest point of Rome's two-line tube system .

A simultaneous attack will take place near the city's famed Piazza Navona, where an abandoned rucksack will explode .

A similar drill was carried out in Milan last week with the staging of multiple, simulated attacks which left 25 people 'dead' .

The anti-terrorism drills, the biggest ever held in Italy, were ordered by Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu after the July terrorist attacks in London .

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 06:51

The other problem with these things is that at 9.25 am everyone in the Emergency services will be sitting, looking at the clock. In the real incident which we all hope would never happen, some would be on the toilet, or, at the local bar, or cleaning the emergency vehicle, and, the ones who are supposed to be off duty would be fishing or having a lie in or shopping or...
and, as every one is expecting this, very few shortcomings in the system will show up, now, if they held it at 3pm, the day before... :eek:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 09:35

[QUOTE=GeorgeS]The other problem with these things is that at 9.25 am everyone in the Emergency services will be sitting, looking at the clock. In the real incident which we all hope would never happen, some would be on the toilet, or, at the local bar, or cleaning the emergency vehicle, and, the ones who are supposed to be off duty would be fishing or having a lie in or shopping or...
and, as every one is expecting this, very few shortcomings in the system will show up, now, if they held it at 3pm, the day before... :eek:[/QUOTE]

I agree with you there, GeorgeS. Everyone will be on standby including off duty staff and specialists - oh, and politicians!! :rolleyes: However, I think it's still good training to remind everyone how to deal with a potential 'real' situation...

Stephanie

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 09:51

This is sad, that all countries have come to this. Fireman have always trained for fires, police train at a firing range, but now we have to have them train on a regular basis for terrorist :(

I sometimes think what in the hell is going on?

Peggy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 11:12

Sweetpeg, can you give us an update on your relatives, have they returned to their home and what condition was it in on return after the storms. If you've already done it oooops sorry. :rolleyes:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 12:04

Paula and everyone - Mary is fine and so is Audrey and the dogs. No major damage at their place. Electricty was out at their place for about 4/5 hours. But the they really made out very, very well. I think it was from all the positive thoughts and prayers. :D

Peggy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 16:02

Hi Peggy,
glad to hear that your sister Mary and Audrey and the dogs are all fine. I am sure as you say it was all down to everyone's positive thinking and prayers. That was some good news that we all have to keep in our thoughts. :)
Ciao
Frances

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2005 - 16:37

three cheers for the forum. Thankfully everything turned out ok and I'm thrilled to bits for you. I feel really sorry for all the people in New Orleans (sorry if its spelt wrong) some of the poor people who have lost EVERYTHING. Where on earth do they go from here. On TV reports, what upset me was a lady walking round in the water admitting she had tried to loot a shop for some baby milk for her baby. How on earth do you cope in that situation, no formula milk, no nappies. Sorry but looting would be a first priority, motherly instincts kick into action first before a thought about being law abiding. I'm waffling now, too much wine, time for bed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :p

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/30/2005 - 04:07

[QUOTE=Sweetpeg]This is sad, that all countries have come to this. Fireman have always trained for fires, police train at a firing range, but now we have to have them train on a regular basis for terrorist :(

I sometimes think what in the hell is going on?

Peggy[/QUOTE]

Best not to mention Iraq then, or, I suppose one country supporting the IRA in their struggle against British Imperialism... :o

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/30/2005 - 09:03

[QUOTE=Sweetpeg]Paula and everyone - Mary is fine and so is Audrey and the dogs. No major damage at their place. Electricty was out at their place for about 4/5 hours. But the they really made out very, very well. I think it was from all the positive thoughts and prayers. :D

Peggy[/QUOTE]

Awww what great news. I'm so glad that they're safe & sound and their home is still standing. They were probably among the lucky ones when Rita changed her course.

Stephanie

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/30/2005 - 09:05

[QUOTE=GeorgeS]Best not to mention Iraq then, or, I suppose one country supporting the IRA in their struggle against British Imperialism... :o[/QUOTE]

Ooohhh meow, GeorgeS!! ;) We could be here for months... or even years... hmmm come to think of it, pretty much like our guys in a certain country... :eek:

Nope, best be quiet now...