Barcelona airport conducts first crash simulation in wetland area

The first air crash simulation in a wetland area was carried out at Barcelona airport this Monday. 

More than 200 professionals took part in the exercise, simulating the fall of a plane in the Cal Bitxot lake, within the wetland area of the Llobregat Delta, in the immediate surroundings of the airport. 

The objective was to test the coordinated response of all emergency services that would be involved in an incident of this nature, as well as to practice the intervention in the marshy wetland area of ​​the delta. 

For the first time here, firefighters used a floating platform that helped them access the plane and evacuate the people on board.

The simulation saw an accident occur during the approach to the airport of a flight bound for Barcelona. The aircraft, on the final approach to the runway, reported an explosion in two engines which caused it to fall into the Cal Bitxot lake in the Llobregat delta.

After receiving the warning of the accident at around half past eleven, Civil Protection emergency services activated the aeronautical emergency plan and the teams moved to the scene. The first to arrive were the firefighters from the airport with two trucks, who stabilized the area by spraying the plane and the surrounding area with foam.

From here, the teams started rescuing passengers on board who were then given medical treatment. Fire extinguishing and search and rescue tasks were also carried out, both inside and outside the plane, as well as the lake. 

To help people safely out of the aircraft, which was recreated with a small boat, a floating platform was assembled for the first time and was operational in minutes. With this, the emergency responders were able to move with more agility than by going through the water.

The plan was coordinated from the advanced control center installed in the Cal Tet car park, about 600 meters from the accident. In addition, thanks to the drone unit of the Catalan police, authorities were able to follow the operation live from the crisis room located in the airport.

In turn, the El Prat de Llobregat city council activated the municipal emergency plan as part of the drill. 

At the end of the exercise, Marta Cassany, director general of the Civil Protection organization, gave a very positive assessment. 

She praised the coordination between the more than 200 professionals participating in the drill and highlighted the possibility of following the events live through the police drone and the floating rescue platform, two elements that can be "relevant" in the event of a real emergency.

Carlos Prieto, deputy delegate of the Spanish government in Barcelona, also hailed the coordination and determination between the participants and "very well-tuned" protocols. "Obviously, we hope this accident never takes place, but if it happens, we showed today we are ready to tackle it" he added.