Guam issues nuclear attack emergency guidelines - 'Do not look at the flash or fireball

  • 12/08/2017

Guam has posted emergency guidelines to help residents prepare for any potential nuclear attack as North Korea threatens to fire missiles at the US Pacific territory.

Pyongyang's state-run KCNA news agency said on Thursday its army would complete plans in mid-August to fire four intermediate-range missiles over Japan to land near Guam amid increasingly heated rhetoric over the North's nuclear weapons program.

North Korea did not threaten Guam with a nuclear attack, but the crisis between Pyongyang and the United States has stirred fears that of nuclear conflict in the region.

Guam's Governor said there was no heightened threat, but the government has issued a preparedness fact sheet, which covers what to do before, during and after a nuclear attack.

"Do not look at the flash or fireball - it can blind you," it said. "Take cover behind anything that might offer protection."

If caught outside, it says to "remove your clothing to keep radioactive material from spreading".

It suggests having an emergency plan and supply kit and a list of potential concrete structures near home, work and school to serve as fallout shelters.

North Korea's missile capabilities.
North Korea's missile capabilities. Photo credit: Reuters

The fact sheet advises people to not scrub or scratch the skin, use soap, shampoo and water but avoid hair conditioner because it binds radioactive material.

It also advises parents to stay where they are and wait for instructions, even if they are separated from their children.

Guam is home to about 163,000 people and a US military base.

US President Donald Trump warned on Friday that the US military was "locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely".

Guam Governor Eddie Calvo said while he agreed with sending a clear message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, he didn't "want the temperature to get any higher".

Reuters