MANY INJURED IN CITY CENTRE BOMB BLAST
By Spoof

Many shoppers were injured following a terrorist attack in the city centre. The Eagle Centre was evacuated shortly after a coded message was received by security services stating that an explosive device had been planted in the market.

Emergency teams were quickly on the scene and an evacuation of the centre was immediately carried out. As firefighters and security personnel searched for the device, a huge explosion showered crowds of shoppers and workers with broken glass from the buildings frontage.

The designated evacuation point outside the market on the corner of East Street and Morledge was full of people who had been directed there. Many sustained injuries and were treated on the scene by paramedics. Others were taken to the nearby DRI for further treatment. Miraculously, no one inside the Eagle Centre was injured.

An eyewitness on the scene said, "The corner of East Street was packed with people who had been evacuated from the market. There was a terrific bang and the whole glass frontage collapsed onto them. People were completely covered by flying glass which resulted with many of them suffering cuts."

Another added, "It seems ridiculous to place an evacuation point right in front of tons of glass. This was an incident waiting to happen." Police cordoned off the Morledge bringing traffic to a standstill while emergency vehicles ferried the injured to hospital. The clean up operation is expected to take several days as forensic experts sift through the debris for evidence.

A full inquiry has begun and will include the positioning of evacuation points at the Eagle Centre and other premises throughout the city centre. A council spokesman promised there would be a thorough investigation into the incident.

Of course, the above account is fictitious, and thankfully hasn't happened - yet! But the frightening possibility is always there while evacuation points are placed in such vulnerable places and the country is on terrorist alert.