Bases simulate plane crash in massive rescue exercise

BRITISH forces in Dhekelia were this morning due to explode a purpose-built aeroplane in a massive emergency services exercise involving 3,000 people.

Sovereign Base Area police and Cyprus authorities worked through last night to stabilise and contain the accident – a simulated civilian plane crash with holidaymakers of various nationalities on board.

The entire operation – starting at 3am and expected to last 12 hours – will continue into mid afternoon.

The exercise was designed to practice joint SBA and Cypriot authorities’ reaction, command and control procedures, medical response, casualty evacuation and recovery of evidence.

SBA police are working with the Larnaca and Nicosia hospitals, Cypriot police and Cypriot fire services.

"The SBAs are not self-sufficient in a total emergency. We will support, supplement and assist the exercise fully. As a civilian operation, the concern is for individuals, regardless of whether they are British subjects or not," said Larnaca District Officer, Kyprianos Mattheou.

Infantry troops from the base at Episkopi were recruited to act as casualties and another 20 were brought in to pose as a dummy press pack.

The mock aeroplane was built from three disused buses, crafted by the 62 Cyprus Engineer Squadron and painted white with a ‘Majestic Airways’ slogan.

SBA senior spokesman, Rob Meade emphasised the very real nature of the event.

"Casualties and death will be dealt with in a very real manner and processed in the same way," he said.

A public information bureau will be established today to deal with the deluge of enquiries that a real crash of this magnitude would generate.

But all arrangements were made to ensure minimal disruption to the public.

The ‘crash’ happened on the Kingsfield airfield on a ridge above Pyla, some distance from local residents and emergency control essentials such as roadblocks will be notional.

A press conference later today will determine the success of the exercise and the extent of the ‘crisis’.

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