​Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department (FSD) co-organised a counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "GATEKEEPER II" this afternoon (May 30) at the Ocean Terminal.
About 100 officers from Customs and the FSD participated in the exercise, which comprised two scenarios. The first scenario simulated the identification of a passenger suspected to be related to terrorist activities during Customs clearance at the Passenger Arrival Hall of the Ocean Terminal. Customs officers immediately informed the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit for follow-up action.
The second scenario simulated a biochemical attack attempted by a radical at the Ocean Terminal. Customs officers subdued the attacker and activated the contingency response plan as well as informed on-duty security guards of the Ocean Terminal immediately. People at the scene were evacuated in an orderly and safe manner. FSD officers responded swiftly to the scene upon being summoned to mount a rescue operation and handle the hazardous material.
Customs and the FSD hope to raise frontline officers' awareness of counter-terrorism and their capability to handle counter-terrorism intelligence through conducting regular exercises. It can enhance the co-ordination and communication between the two departments in case of terrorist attacks so that the lives and property of the public will be better protected.
Moreover, the management staff and security guards of the Ocean Terminal were specially invited to participate in the counter-terrorism exercise this time. This not only can strengthen the co-operation between government departments and stakeholders, but also strengthen the response capability of each person in the event of terrorist incidents.
