Milan, 9 March 2025
As part of the exercises promoted by the FS Group last night, the explosion of a suitcase containing ammonium nitrate was simulated on board a Frecciarossa train entering the Milano Rogoredo station, involving a number of figurative passengers. The on-board staff noticed smoke coming from the second carriage of the train and immediately alerted the Operations Centre of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana.
The RFI Room activated the necessary communication protocols for emergency management with the involvement of stakeholders: Milan Prefecture, Milan Municipality Civil Defence, Lombardy Region Civil Defence, FS Security, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, Trenitalia, Milan Fire Brigade, AREU 118, Railway Police, Milan Police Headquarters, Carabinieri and Civil Defence volunteers.
Rescuers arrived on the scene and evacuated the train, taking the passengers to a previously identified safe external area. The people involved were checked and then transferred to a Civil Protection assistance centre.
This is the scenario of the IMPRESS exercise (IMProving Railway sEcurity through awareneSS and training), a European project with the aim of improving the security of stations and trains from NBCR (Nuclear, Bacteriological, Chemical, Radiological) threats. This project involves the provision of training and information modules for all railway stakeholders (railway staff, security personnel, maintenance and cleaning companies, catering operators on board trains, station shops).
IMPRESS is coordinated by the UIC (Union Internationale des Chemins de fer) and involves the main railway operators including not only FS Italiane and FS Security, but also the Dutch Railways (NS), the Polish Railways (PKP), the Belgian Railways (SNCB), the German Police University (DHPOL), as well as numerous international security experts on the Advisory Board.
The exercise is part of the planning and organisation of the next Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan - Cortina, scheduled to start in January 2026. The intention was to simulate and field-test the response and coordination capabilities of the Police Forces, rescue agencies and FS Group personnel under the coordination of the Milan Prefecture.
The shared objective was also to field test the technical intervention and assistance system envisaged by the memoranda of understanding signed between the FS Group, the Health Emergency Service and the Regional Civil Protection.
Particular attention was paid to verifying the effectiveness and speed of activation of emergency management procedures.
The activities caused no repercussions on train traffic.