Worst Case Scenario - 50,000 Could DieDecember 9, 2002
DOOMSDAY plans are being secretly drawn up to deal with a chemical or biological attack on Britain's towns and cities.
Town halls are being ordered to prepare for a "catastrophic" toll of up to 50,000 dead and injured - a 100-fold increase on the previous worst case scenario.
The Government has warned emergency chiefs to tear up plans which outlined measures to deal with 500 casualties from a single incident such as a plane or train crash.
The move is a pre-emptive strike against germ war terrorists as part of Tony Blair's efforts to tighten Britain's security amid growing fears of an attack by Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein.
According to a memo leaked to the Sunday Mirror, secret meetings of emergency planners from local authorities across Britain have been told that "planning is needed for thousands, not hundreds" of casualties.
They have held talks about being forced to dispose of thousands of bodies contaminated by smallpox, anthrax or other killers. The "guidance note on mass casualties" warns Britain must prepare after the September 11 attacks on America.
The Sunday Mirror has also learnt from senior Government ministers that hospitals have been told to increase their store of body bags.
Liberal Democrat spokesman Don Foster said guidance from the Government - in the wake of cuts in civil defence spending - involved telling people to "prepare with buckets, sponges, household bleach and pop-up paddling pools".
Link to Article Source
=12436579&method=sm_full&siteid=81959
|
|
