A Beijing hospital is preparing to treat injuries that might occur if next year’s Olympics are hit with a ”terrorist nuclear attack,” the state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.
”If Beijing is hit by a dirty bomb, we will be able to provide more than 100 beds for the injured,” said Zhang Shulan, vice-director of the national medical agency responsible for treating victims exposed to radiation. He said the Third hospital of Beijing University would treat injuries.
Beijing municipal officials said a drill would be held next month to test readiness to handle a dirty bomb attack.
The drill would take place outside an Olympic venue, although officials declined to specify which one.
The city will also hold more emergency drills in the run-up to the Olympics, said Shan Qingsheng, an official with the city’s emergency response office.
An exercise in Beijing on Tuesday tested police capabilities in handling hostage situations during the Olympics, Xinhua reported, citing the Ministry of Public Security.
One team, acting as terrorists, took more than 20 athletes hostage in a building. The other team sealed off the building, attacked the hostage takers and ultimately rescued the athletes, Xinhua said.
Security preparations are among the least publicised of Beijing’s efforts to prepare for the 2008 Olympics. Foreign companies and diplomats, who are preparing to host swarms of dignitaries in 2008, have complained privately that China’s often secretive police have divulged few details of their plans.
Ministry of Public Security spokesperson Wu Heping announced in late May that China would introduce advanced weapons, technology and equipment for police to ensure Olympic security, Xinhua reported. Wu said about 30 police helicopters will be in service by the end of 2007.
Liu Shaowu, head of security for the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, has said security costs will be kept low by relying on domestic providers for surveillance systems and other necessary equipment.
State media has reported that plans drawn up in 2005 allocated $300-million for security, only about 20% of the amount spent for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. – Sapa-AP