Simulation Exercise of Large-scale Emergency Incident in Prison -- “Operation Thunderbolt 2021” to Be Held 15:00 Today (2021-07-08)
The Unitary Police Service will host today (8th) at 15:00 a prison emergency incident simulation exercise, codenamed “Operation Thunderbolt 2021”, at Coloane Prison and its periphery, featuring such scenarios as prison riot, hostage siege and disposal of explosives, with the objectives to test the inter-departmental cooperation mechanism among the departments under the Secretariat for Security and other government agencies and strengthen the participating agencies’ emergency response capabilities in terms of information notification, command and coordination, as well as joint operations. Participating government agencies include the Macao Customs Service, the Public Security Police Force, the Judiciary Police, the Fire Services Bureau, the Correctional Services Bureau, the Academy of Public Security Forces of Macao, and the Health Bureau.
Noises, including those of stun grenades, explosions and riots, may be heard during the exercise; we ask that members of the public residing in or passing by the neighborhood not to panic. Furthermore, this afternoon, Coloane Prison of the Correctional Services Bureau will temporarily suspend all external services, including visits to inmates and appointments with social workers. Social workers of the Correctional Services Bureau will contact affected members of the public and arrange for a change of visit schedule. Please call (853)28881211 for any further enquiries.
In line with the needs of the exercise, the Rua de S. Francisco Xavier, where Coloane Prison is located, will be closed to all traffic at 14:00 to 18:00 today except authorized vehicles. Drivers should pay attention to this arrangement and comply with the instructions of the police officers on site.
Due to internal security and pandemic prevention needs, there will not be any photography and filming sessions for the media during the exercise. The content of the exercise will be released later through a press release.