20 taken hostage during counter-terrorism drill at Hanoi airport

A counter-terrorism exercise took place at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Thursday morning, with a hypothetical situation unfolding when 20 passengers were kept as hostages.

According to the drill scenario, a five-seater car was parked improperly in the airport, leading to traffic congestion at 9:05 am.

Though security guards at the airport instructed the driver of the car to obey the rules, the occupants failed to cooperate and raised their voice during their encounter, causing disorder in the place.

The group aimed to draw attention from forces at the airport in preparation for their next plan.

Suddenly, a 16-seater vehicle carrying seven armed individuals stopped at an entrance of the T1 terminal.

These individuals started firing on the crowd, injuring two security workers. 

The gang continued to overpower another security employee and keep 20 air passengers as hostages.

The gang demanded US$5 million and a plane that could transport them overseas.

In response to the terrorist attack, the airport leader swiftly mobilized forces to confront the assailants and notified other relevant units.

The airport director quickly activated an emergency plan, instructing security teams to join police officers in securing the area where the terrorists were holding hostages and to prevent them from expanding the attack to other locations.

Besides, the task forces were urged to evacuate other passengers and airport employees to shelters.

Hanoi's steering committee for counter-terrorism and emergency security situations directed police to deploy forces and vehicles to the airport to confront the attackers.

A task force was assigned to detect bombs and mines.

Nearly 400 personnel and 36 vehicles from various units participated in the drill.

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