The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), together with the MTR Corporation (MTRC), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Auxiliary Medical Service, St John Ambulance conducted an inter-departmental response exercise in the early hours today (October 14), in order to enhance the response capabilities of the HKPF, the MTRC and various government departments to handle large-scale incidents happened in the railway system.

     The exercise simulated a train incident in Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station with multiple casualties. Some passengers later left the train compartment through the rear detrainment ramp and walked along the track tunnel to the platform of Jordan MTR Station. The MTRC immediately contacted the HKPF and the FSD. Police officers and emergency service personnel sped to the scene and worked together with the MTRC staff on the evacuation of passengers and rescue operation. A triage station was set up at scene for handling the casualties, and kept track of the situation through the inter-departmental platform “Patient Tagging System”. Police officers, MTRC staff and FSD personnel then entered the tunnel for initial investigations and searched for casualties. Officers from relevant government departments, including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Transport Department, were present to observe.

     Over 1 000 officers from the MTRC and relevant government departments participated in the exercise. Counter Terrorist Response Unit, Police Tactical Units, Emergency Unit Kowloon West, Traffic Kowloon West, Yau Tsim District and Railway District of the HKPF were involved.

     The railway system in Hong Kong is one of the most important large-scale infrastructure and a major public transport network. Through this exercise, Police aimed at testing and posing challenges to different departments and units on their response capabilities to large-scale incident happened in the railway system, enhancing the collaboration capabilities and operational efficiency.

     The HKPF will continue to maintain close contact with all stakeholders, conduct regular inter-departmental exercises, review the existing contingency plans, and be well prepared for all possible situations, in order to safeguard the lives and safety of citizens.
 

Ends/Saturday, October 14, 2023
Issued at HKT 9:02

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