Google’s chatbot, Gemini hypothesised what would happen if a nuclear blast was to hit the UK and warned of an ‘immense fireball’ that would ‘vaporise and destroy everything’
A single warhead could cause over a million casualties in London(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Global tensions are mounting prompting some to fear we might be teetering on the edge of World War III. Relations between Russia and NATO are becoming increasingly strained, with President Vladimir Putin facing accusations of “aggressive posturing” over Western airspace.
Peace campaigning organisations have identified certain nations as potential safe refuges due to their geographical location and overall stability. They’re also offering guidance on protective steps should a nuclear explosion occur.
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) states that “adequate preparation and appropriate response to a nuclear alert or detonation can protect you and your family’s health and life.”
Could Putin spark a world war?(Image: Getty Images)
So we asked Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini what would happen if such an event was to happen somewhere like London, so we can prepare ourselves. It said: “A nuclear attack on a major city like London would be a catastrophic event with widespread and devastating consequences.
“While no one can predict with absolute certainty what would happen, we can outline a plausible scenario based on public information, scientific understanding of nuclear weapons, and existing emergency preparedness plans.”
Gemini broke down what would happen in the immediate aftermath. “A nuclear detonation would generate an immense fireball, reaching temperatures of several million degrees Celsius.
“Within a radius of a few miles from the point of impact, everything would be vaporised or destroyed. The heat flash would cause severe burns and ignite fires over a much wider area. A single warhead could cause over a million casualties in London.”
A nuclear detonation would generate an immense fireball(Image: Getty Images)
It added: “The explosion would be followed by a powerful shockwave, capable of leveling buildings, causing extensive structural damage, and creating deadly flying debris for miles. People in underground shelters or basements might survive the initial blast, but could be killed by the subsequent firestorm as oxygen is consumed.”
It went on to say: “The combination of the heat flash and the blast would ignite a multitude of fires. These fires would merge into a massive firestorm, which would draw in oxygen from the periphery, creating hurricane-force winds and intensifying the blaze. This would be a major cause of death for anyone who survived the initial blast.”
Gemini detailed the potential emergency response but warned of fallout and decontamination as specialised teams would be deployed to monitor radiation levels. It mentioned Operation Sassoon – a generic framework for a major emergency evacuation plan for London.
If you survive the blast, you might not survive the firestorm(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
It was developed by a multi-agency team led by the Metropolitan Police, in collaboration with local authorities, transport providers, and other emergency services. The plan is designed to be a flexible framework that can be adapted to various large-scale scenarios, including a major terrorist attack, a chemical, biological, or nuclear event, or a large-scale fire or flood.
Giving advice on what an average person should do to survive, Gemini urged people to “go in, stay in and tune in” using a battery-powered radio.
It also suggests people decontaminate themselves and pack an emergency survival kit.
Gemini added: “The information provided is based on publicly available emergency plans and scientific understanding. A real-world event would be unpredictable and a true test of human resilience and preparedness.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.