Exercise Unified Response is supposed to provide a realistic training environment for specialist urban search and rescue teams, the police, health workers, and local authorities. While this situation is specifically for disasters and not terrorism, the images will remind some Londoners of painful memories; London was the subject of terror attacks on its buses and Tube in 2005. The year before, a series of attacks targeted commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 and injuring more than 1,800 people.

“Although this scenario is not a terrorist attack, we will be practicing procedures and systems that are common to any emergency that results in a large number of fatalities and injuries,” London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said in a statement.

A simulated casualty waits on a stretcher.
A simulated casualty waits on a stretcher.
Image: Associated Press/Alastair Grant
It’s the largest disaster training exercise in Europe ever.
It’s the largest disaster training exercise in Europe ever.
Image: Associated Press/Alastair Grant
2,000 volunteers are taking part in the exercise.
2,000 volunteers are taking part in the exercise.
Image: Associated Press/Alastair Grant
More than 70 “partner agencies” are involved.
More than 70 “partner agencies” are involved.
Image: Associated Press/Alastair Grant
Simulated casualties look out from a Tube train carriage.
Simulated casualties look out from a Tube train carriage.
Image: Associated Press/Alastair Grant
Disaster victim identification teams from across Europe took part.
Disaster victim identification teams from across Europe took part.
Image: Associated Press/Alastair Grant
The exercise took a year to plan.
The exercise took a year to plan.
Image: Associated Press/Alastair Grant
A paramedic works on a simulated casualty.
A paramedic works on a simulated casualty.
Image: Associated Press/Alastair Grant

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