Zimbabwean aviation officials misinformed news organizations Thursday that a Boeing 767 arriving from London was involved in an accident at Harare's airport, then told journalists rushing to the scene it was only a drill. David Chawota, head of the Zimbabwe Civil Aviation Authority, said the information was given out to make the drill realistic.
"Telling the media was part of the exercise. We wanted to see how the media would react," he told a news conference at the main Harare International airport, The Associated Press informs.
Officials in Zimbabwe originally said the incident involved a Boeing 767 out of London.
"This was a usual drill for the period. We do this once every three years. This was for the benefit of our police personnel, security, aviation, medics, hospital -- everyone was involved," said David Chawata, chief executive of the Zimbabwe Aviation Authority. "This exercise helps the general preparedness of our facilities here.", CNN International reports.
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