Fire trucks spray down a simulated burning aircraft as part of crash management drills at Phnom Penh International Airport. TVK
Extensive emergency response drills which simulated a plane crash were conducted at Phnom Penh International Airport this morning.
The February 21 exercises were organised by the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) to enhance preparations for potential aviation disasters, and ran from 7am to 12pm.
The drills included controlled fires and thick smoke created by burning fuel and old tires to simulate a realistic crash scenario requiring immediate rescue operations.
“This simulation was conducted to provide experience and knowledge to relevant institutions and agencies on how to respond effectively to an aircraft crash incident,” explained the Ministry of Information.
Emergency responders take part in the simulated rescue and treatment of plane crash victims at Phnom Penh International Airport. Information ministry
Various emergency response units participated in the operation, including fire trucks, ambulances and law enforcement personnel.
Key stakeholders such as the Phnom Penh municipal authorities, armed forces, hospitals, airport concessionaire SCA/CAMS and air traffic control company CATS were also involved, according to the ministry.
During the drill, emergency alerts were sent to municipal authorities, security forces, hospitals and fire departments across Phnom Penh to test coordination and rapid response capabilities.
Authorities issued a public notice to inform residents near Phnom Penh International Airport and throughout the city about the exercise, urging them not to be alarmed.
