Gangseo District Conducts "Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill" at Gimpo Airport
Realistic Exercise Involves 350 Personnel from 21 Organizations
"At 2:00 p.m. on September 30, 2025, a large-scale accident occurred at Gimpo Airport when a passenger aircraft veered off the runway and collided with a light aircraft."
The runway at Gimpo Airport was engulfed in flames and smoke as the sirens of rescue teams echoed throughout the area. Drones and firefighting robots searched the scene, and helicopters prepared to transport emergency patients, creating a tense atmosphere. Fortunately, this was not a real emergency but a simulation conducted by Gangseo District as part of the "2025 Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill."
This drill was designed to coordinate a joint response among relevant agencies for the entire process in the event of an aircraft accident, including rescue operations, firefighting, emergency medical treatment, and patient transport. The goal was to minimize damage and quickly restore normal airport operations.
Large-Scale Joint Drill: From Initial Response to Recovery
The scenario involved a passenger aircraft carrying 160 people that veered off the runway during landing, collided with a light aircraft, and resulted in a fire and multiple casualties. More than 350 personnel from 21 organizations, including Korea Airports Corporation, Gangseo Fire Station, and Gangseo Police Station, participated. Fire trucks, ambulances, helicopters, drones, and even robot dogs were deployed, creating a highly realistic scene. Notably, a reconnaissance robot dog equipped with cameras and sensors was sent directly into the fire site to search inside the aircraft and conduct initial firefighting, drawing significant attention.
The drill comprehensively reenacted actual disaster response procedures, including extinguishing the aircraft fire and rescuing victims, providing emergency medical treatment and transporting the injured to hospitals, operating an on-site integrated support center, holding crisis response meetings, conducting media briefings, and restoring normal airport operations.
Gangseo Fire Station and the airport fire brigade jointly searched inside the passenger aircraft, while Gangseo Public Health Center operated an emergency medical station to triage the injured. Critical patients were transported to a regional trauma center by fire helicopter. The drill also included realistic scenarios such as a "secondary explosion" and the isolation of rescue workers during the firefighting process. The exercise concluded with the restoration of the runway.
Jin Gyohoon, mayor of Gangseo District, is giving a training summary at the '2025 Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill' held on September 30 at the international apron of Gimpo Airport. Provided by Gangseo District.
Pilot Drill by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Recognized as a Model Case Nationwide
Last year, Gangseo District was the only one among Seoul's 25 districts to receive a commendation from the Minister of the Interior and Safety for outstanding performance in the Safe Korea Drill. This year, it was designated as a pilot drill institution by the Ministry and has been recognized as a model case for local governments nationwide. On the day of the drill, officials from some local governments attended to benchmark the exercise.
Jin Gyohoon, mayor of Gangseo District, emphasized, "Gimpo Airport is a crucial infrastructure for the Republic of Korea, and conducting this drill here in collaboration with the fire department, police, public health center, and military units was highly meaningful. We will continue to ensure Gangseo District's safety by conducting realistic, well-prepared drills so that disasters and accidents can be prevented."
Rescue workers are transporting an injured person during the "2025 Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill" held at the international apron of Gimpo Airport. Provided by Gangseo District.
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