What To Do In A Terror Attack

It’s not something any of us like to think about, but the day may come when you’ll need to be prepared to act in the midst of a terror attack.

Globally, terror attacks are on the rise. According to the Institute for Economics & Peace’s Global Terrorism Index 2025, the number of countries reporting a terror attack increased from 58 to 66 in 2024 – the highest number since 2018 – while 45 countries reported more acts of terrorist violence, the largest total increase in seven years. The death toll from acts of terrorism also increased by 22% to 8,352, the highest level since 2017.

No matter where you live in the world, it’s important to be prepared for the risk of terrorist activity so that if a terror attack ever affects you, you can act swiftly and with confidence.

Staying prepared for a terror attack

How likely is terrorism?

A terror attack can strike anywhere, at any time. In the period 2019–2024, the highest number of and most fatal terrorist attacks affected these countries:

Burkina Faso

Pakistan

Syria

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Somalia

Israel

Afghanistan

Cameroon

Source: Vision of Humanity

The Sahel region of Sub-Saharan Africa has recently overtaken the Middle East as the most common area for terrorist attacks, and now accounts for more than half of all terror attacks globally.

Terror attacks are more likely in big cities, where the density of targets, the risk of disruption and the potential for media attention is greater. However, terror attacks can still happen in small towns and even rural areas, particularly if they are focused on specific individuals, vehicles or military targets.

In 2023, 90% of terrorist attacks and 98% of terrorism deaths occurred in active conflict zones, showing the strong link between terrorism and warfare.

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What are the causes of terrorism?

Terrorism is often motivated by extremist political or religious causes, and can usually be linked to established terrorist cells, political movements, religious fundamentalist groups or paramilitary organisations.

However, there are also many cases where the motivations behind terror attacks are unclear, with many terror attacks seeming to be the action of lone killers.

When authorities are unable to definitively connect acts of mass murder or sabotage to known terrorist groups, the act may be reported as acts of “domestic terrorism,” or not attributed to terrorism at all.

How is terrorism defined?

Terrorism

According to the FBI, terrorism is any violent or criminal act committed by individuals or groups who have been inspired by, or who are associated with, foreign terrorist organisations or nations.

Domestic terrorism

Domestic terrorism, on the other hand, is defined as any violent or criminal act committed by individuals or groups motivated by ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.

What’s the difference?

The key difference is that acts of terrorism usually hinge upon the involvement of foreign forces. Whether the perpetrator has been inspired, funded or directed by a foreign force, or is acting in the interests of a foreign organisation, will determine whether the act counts as terrorism or domestic terrorism.

Of course, to the people who end up being affected by terrorism, there’s really no difference.

In the European Union, the most common causes of terrorist activity between 2010–2021 included:

Ethno-nationalist and separatist ideology

1,043

Not specified

374

Left-wing and anarchist extremism

271

Jihadism or religious extremism

130

Right-wing extremism

Other

Source: European Council

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How do terrorists attack?

The methods terrorists use to attack vary based on their aims, and the level of planning behind their attack.

For many terrorists, the intention is to maximise the damage and casualties they can create in a short amount of time, and so they will deploy deadly weapons such as guns, bombs and knives to attack.

Where terrorists are unable to procure these weapons, they use other means such as vehicle ramming to attack targets. This may involve the hijacking of vehicles to achieve these aims.

Many acts of terrorism do not happen in the physical world, but are instead defined as cyberterrorism. The hijacking of digital property is a growing concern around the world.

Some of the known methods of terrorism include:

Weapons attacks – e.g. mass shootings, mass stabbings, rocket attacks
Explosive attacks – e.g. suicide bombing, car bombs, improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
Vehicle rammings – e.g. car ramming, truck ramming, plane hijacking
Chemical or biological attacks – e.g. anthrax, sarin gas, biological weapons
Bioterrorism – e.g. attacks on crops and food supplies
Nuclear terrorism – e.g. use or threat of nuclear weapons
Cyberterrorism – e.g. destroying digital systems, holding websites ransom, stealing data

It is important to remember that there is no one way for a terrorist to strike. They may adapt their methods to suit their objectives and the environment. This is why it’s important to…

Remain vigilant

It is important to be alert at all times to the possibility of terrorism, and to take action if you see any suggestion of terrorist activity.

Depending where you live in the world, you may be able to call your country’s counter-terrorist police to report suspicious activity or signs of an impending terrorist attack. If you have reason to suspect someone or something is about to attack, do not hesitate to call in a tip.

When it comes to spotting suggestions of terrorist activity, you may wish to consider the following:

Noticing other people

Is someone acting suspiciously in public? Are they paying close attention to security measures, CCTV cameras and fire escapes? Are they somewhere they shouldn’t be?
Have you noticed someone buying or receiving suspicious items, such as chemicals, fertilisers, gas cylinders, large quantities of ammunition or bladed weapons?
Have you noticed somebody using a false ID, false passport or going under a false name?
Have you noticed someone carrying out suspicious bank transactions?
Have you noticed someone looking at, downloading, distributing or discussing extremist material or hateful ideologies online?

Noticing things in your environment

Have you spotted something that isn’t supposed to be there, such as an abandoned backpack or a car parked in a strange location?
Have you seen a vehicle driving erratically or in a place it shouldn’t be?
Have you found something ‘stashed’, particularly a weapon, explosive material or disguise?

If you have seen something you deem suspicious, do not hesitate to call your local counter-terrorist hotline:

United Kingdom

0800 789 321

United States

1-800-CALL-FBI
1-800-225-5324

Canada

1-800-420-5805

South Korea

111

India

011-2436880

Pakistan

1717

In these and all other countries, you can also report suspected acts of terrorism via your usual emergency services number (999 in the UK, 911 in the US and 112 in Europe).

Be prepared

Acts of terrorism are extremely rare, but there are still steps you should take to prepare for any form of emergency when living in a foreign country. These include:

Knowing where your home country’s nearest embassy or consulate is, what services they offer, and how to contact them.
Set up an ‘In Case of Emergency’ (ICE) telephone number on your smartphone – this way, emergency services will know who to contact on your behalf.
Setting up a ‘find my phone’ app, in case yours goes missing.
Setting up a location sharing app, and sharing your location with trusted friends and family members, in case you go missing.

Finally, be sure to let your friends and family know your whereabouts at all times.

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What to do during a terror attack

Terror attacks usually strike fast and without warning. In fact, the first you may know about a terror attack you were involved in is after it’s over. But if you are aware of an ongoing terror event, it’s important to take steps to protect your life and those around you.

Official advice from authorities in the UK is to follow a three-step system called Run. Hide. Tell.:

Run to a place of safety as quickly and calmly as you can
Hide by barricading yourself in a safe place
Tell the police by calling the emergency services

Other advice, given by services such as the Red Cross and the US Department of State, includes:

Run

Hang around

Attempt to help others, especially children, escape

Panic – your escape could inadvertently create a stampede or crush

Resist capture as best you can

Surrender or attempt to negotiate or bargain with terrorists

Listen for advice from authorities and follow any evacuation orders

Attempt to engage terrorists – they may be armed and extremely dangerous

Move away from the area as quickly and as calmly as possible when it’s safe to do so

Return to the scene, especially if there is fire, the possibility of a second explosion or if the terrorists are still active

Help move injured people to a safe distance and administer first aid

Risk your own life to help another – wait until it’s safe to do so

Shut off any damaged utilities such as gas and electricity, if it’s safe to do so

Attempt to fight any fires – just evacuate

Call your family when it’s safe to do so

Use your mobile phone during the event – you may give away your location

Speak to a paramedic or doctor after the event, even if you aren’t injured – you will likely be suffering from shock

Forget to contact someone. You may be reported missing and people may be looking for you

Speak to a therapist or mental health professional after the event to receive mental health support

Assume you will be okay and ignore the impact this event has had on you

In short, your only priority during a terrorist attack is to protect your own life by getting as far away from danger as you can. Do not try to be a hero – you will only end up adding to the death count.

Leave the fighting to armed counter-terrorist police who at least stand a fighting chance in combat. You should help others, but only if you are sure you won’t be putting your own life at risk – it’s not worth two people dying.

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What to do after a terror attack?

Whether you were directly involved in a terrorist attack, or you have been personally affected by one, it’s important to seek help at the earliest possible chance.

If you are injured

If you have been injured in any way, no matter the severity, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

In the immediate aftermath of an attack, paramedic services may be under pressure and will prioritise the more severe injuries. If your injuries are less severe, and you believe you are capable of making your own way to hospital, you should do so. Make sure you are heading to a hospital that offers emergency services.

Can I seek care at a private hospital after a terror attack?

If you require urgent medical attention, you will be able to attend any hospital – private or public – in your vicinity.

In many countries, that hospital has an obligation to stabilise your condition. However, you may still be liable to pay for any treatment you receive at a private hospital, especially if you don’t have private medical insurance.

In exceptional circumstances, such as in the event of a large-scale terror attack, a country’s government may direct private hospitals to treat members of the public, and foot the bill themselves. But this only tends to happen in exceptional circumstances. If you are making your own way to hospital, and you aren’t sure if you’re entitled to private medical care, you should head to a public hospital.

In some circumstances, paramedics may establish a triage centre close to the scene of the attack. This is to provide field assessments of people involved in the attack, and decide whether they need to go to hospital. If you are aware of a triage centre in your vicinity, visit this first.

If you are uninjured and it is safe to do so, you may be able to help other people affected in the attack. Administer first aid if you can, and try to help them to make their way to a triage centre or hospital. In any case, always listen to the direction of doctors and paramedics, and do not take any risks that may further endanger your health and wellbeing – the last thing anyone wants is another injury that needs treating.

If you’ve been involved in a terror attack in a foreign country

It’s important to speak to your embassy or consulate. They may be able to offer medical support, or help to evacuate you from the country. Read our full guide on the support offered by your embassy or consulate here.

Your mental health

After an attack, it is highly likely you will experience the symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD). This is a common response to overwhelming and traumatic events. You may experience:

Heightened anxiety
Feelings of intense fear or helplessness
Persistent flashbacks and nightmares
A feeling of dissociation from your body or environment
Emotional blackouts, preoccupation or feelings of emotional numbness
Intense reactions to things that remind you of a traumatic event

If you experience the symptoms of acute stress disorder, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Speak to a mental health professional such as a therapist, or your family doctor. You may also benefit from talking things through with family and friends.

If your symptoms persist, rest assured that you needn’t suffer in silence. Cognitive behavioural therapy has proven effective in helping patients overcome the impact of ASD and, in more extreme cases, you may also benefit from antidepressant drugs.

Experts have also started to recommend that patients of traumatic events play the video game Tetris immediately after the event. The game distracts patients while also helping them to compartmentalise and de-stress from the event. Other logic-based games such as chess may also be effective.

In any case, it’s important to seek support as early as possible. If left untreated, acute stress disorder may develop into the longer-term mental illness post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is when the body gets trapped in a state of constant or recurring stress, which can impact quality of life.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The symptoms of PTSD are very similar to ASD, but persist over a long time. They can include:

Vivid flashbacks
Intrusive thoughts or images in the mind
Nightmares
Intense reactions to things that remind you of a traumatic event
All of which are accompanied by physiological sensations and other psychological symptoms such as a racing heart, insomnia, irritability or aggressive behaviour, feelings of agitation, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, nausea, trembling and galvanic skin response (sweating)

Left untreated, PTSD can seriously impact your life. It can make it difficult for you to hold down a job, maintain relationships, and can lead to substance abuse and alcoholism.

Don’t wait – seek help

Remember, PTSD is easy to prevent but hard to cure – if you have been involved in a traumatic event, seek professional support sooner rather than later.

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