Associated Press
Istanbul, Turkey
May 25, 2005
In a day that will be remembered as one of the most horrific in Turkish history, the Champions League Final between Liverpool and Milan at the Atatürk Olimpiyat stadium started off as match between two of Europe's best football clubs. Little did the onlookers know that the most horrific event to ever strike a football match was about to take place.
Approximately ten minutes after kickoff the pitch became a scene of terror when 19 year-old American terrorist Michael Burke stormed the pitch wearing a biohazard suit. At what first seemed like a normal pitch invasion by a hooligan fan quickly turned into day which will not be forgotten.
In what seemed to be an almost impossible and unthinkable feat, Burke had secretly brought a flame-thrower type device into the Atatürk stadium. At 19:43 GMT (2:43 EST) the terrorist invaded the pitch during play and depressed the trigger on his device, releasing a white powder into the air. First to be hit with the powder substance was Steven Gerrard, captain of Liverpool FC, who promptly fell to the ground covering his eyes in horror. The terrorist then moved on to spray every player on the pitch, and then proceeded to turn the device on the stands. The fans could only look on in total shock as the madman continued to ward-off any possible apprehension with a threatening motion to whomsoever came close. After the terrorist seemingly exhausted his supply of the substance, the authorities bravely wrestled him to the ground.
The substance was later confirmed to be a deadly crystalline form of Anthrax that could be easily inhaled into the lungs. A spokesman from the US Department of Defense stated that the terrorist had obtained the Anthrax from a high school friend's father, a laboratory chief at USAMIRIID at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. The suspected scientist still remains at large.
The Turkish government sent hazmat teams to the Atatürk stadium, setting up a triage and subsequent morgue for the victims of the horrendous attack. Early deathtoll estimates from Istanbul reach upwards of 5,000 people, as well as thousands of other victims who must be treated for Cutaneous and Inhilation Anthrax, the latter being almost impossible to treat.
The suspected terrorist Michael Burke was arrested by Turkish police and TSA officials and was taken to the security headquarters outside of the stadium. As Burke was taken into custody people reportedly heard him laughing hysterically repeating the words "I love Anthrax, I just love Anthrax."
Officials say the cleanup from this horrific event will take at least three months.
Associated Press, May 25, 2005. Istanbul, Turkey. Andrea Becchi.
Below is a picture of Michael Burke before he was taken into custody
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