Pik Uk Prison drill tests riot and hostage response
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 23 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
The Correctional Services Department carried out a large-scale emergency response exercise at Pik Uk Prison on October 21, simulating a series of incidents involving remand inmates, including fighting, hostage-taking, a fire, a collective disturbance and the discovery of suspected explosives. More than 150 personnel joined the drill, which was also used to test command arrangements, information flow, emergency activation systems, public information handling and coordination with other departments.
Key Points
- The exercise was held at Pik Uk Prison on October 21 and was code-named “Harmony 25”, according to Sing Tao and Bastille Post.
- Scenarios included fighting among remand inmates, a hostage situation, a fire, a collective disturbance and suspected explosives inside the institution.
- More than 150 people took part, including the Correctional Services Department’s emergency response and regional response teams, as well as Police and Fire Services personnel.
- Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Services (Operations) Chan Siu-hang (陳少恒) directed the overall operation from the Central Control Centre in Stanley.
- The department said the drill reviewed on-site command, information transmission, activation of emergency systems at different levels, departmental response measures, information release and evacuation procedures for suspected explosives.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong, the exercise shows how prison authorities prepare for fast-moving incidents that can escalate from inmate disorder into wider security, fire and evacuation emergencies requiring outside support. The department also said it regularly conducts drills at institutional, regional and departmental levels to maintain readiness, support interdepartmental cooperation and provide a safe custodial environment.