SEPANG (Bernama): Pandemonium broke out at the KL International Airport (KLIA) momentarily when a group of plane passengers was 'injured' due to the 'explosion' of an engine of a Malaysia Airlines plane in the course of a safety exercise here.

       More than 50 'victims' were given immediate emergency assistance by the Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) in collaboration with other agencies including the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, Royal Malaysia Police and the Ministry of Health in Airport Emergency Exercise (AEX) Panthera Shield.

       A ‘victim’ moaning in pain was immediately rescued and removed from the aircraft and placed in an open area as emergency responders rendered assistance.

       This was one of the scenarios rehearsed during the AEX executed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) on Thursday (Nov 11) in a simulation to handle more air passengers safely in the event of a crisis.

       More than 200 people were involved in the successful physical simulation of the AEX Panthera Shield that lasted nearly two hours.

       MAHB managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said the Panthera Shield AEX was held over three days starting Tuesday (Nov 9) with webinar and other training as well as full physical simulation today in compliance with COVID-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOP).

       "This full-scale exercise is very important as there is a significant increase in passengers using air services now, besides we can also plan well and coordinate emergency response as MAHB's commitment to passenger safety," he said.

       Iskandar also said that AEX participants also used the opportunity to test and strengthen their coordination and capabilities in line with the Aerodrome Emergency Plan, which among others outlines a detailed contingency plan based on standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). - Bernama