On Monday 3 October there will be an anti-terrorist exercise in the heart of Rome. The Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, the central railway station, the underground and other key cultural and public service sites around the capital have been chosen as the key targets where pretend suicide bombers and the security forces will act out what could happen if Rome became the centre of a real attack. For the morning, the centre of Rome will be subject to surprise explosions, mock suicide attacks, rescue operations and security procedures.

The Repubblica underground station, on the A line close to Termini, and one of citys busiest stations during rush hours, will be shut from about 09.30-12.00 for the exercise and there will be traffic diversions around the historic centre.

All tourists are being warned of the event, with faxes sent to the main hotels in the city. Residents can call 800.854.854 for more information or visit the citys website www.comune.roma.it.

All participants in the exercise, which will also involve 500 volunteers from the Protezione Civile, will have the word exercitazione written on their clothing.

Similar exercises have recently been organized in Milan and the small Lazio city of Rieti.