Sirens blare from millions of phones in national test of emergency alerts

Sirens blare from millions of phones in national test of emergency alerts

During a recent test of the national emergency alert system, siren sounds blared from mobile phones across the country, causing a stir among the population. The alert, which occurred around 15:00 on a Sunday, lasted for about 10 seconds and was the second test of its kind. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed satisfaction with the results, stating that “tens of millions of phones successfully sounded” during the test, emphasizing the importance of such measures in ensuring public safety during national emergencies.

The test had an impact on various events happening at the time, with the women’s Rugby World Cup match between Ireland and New Zealand in Brighton pausing mid-game and theater-goers being advised to switch off their phones before the show began. Mobile phone users received a message informing them that the alert was only a drill, aimed at testing the effectiveness of the system. Notably, the alarm coincided with a break between overs at England’s third ODI cricket match against South Africa in Southampton, with fans being forewarned via a message displayed on the big screen.

Drivers were urged to remain focused on the road and not be distracted by the sudden alert, while footage from the British Library in London showed patrons reacting to the unexpected noise, with one person whispering “shush” in response. The alert even managed to reach into the depths of London’s Underground system, as a couple on a tube train heading toward Liverpool Street Station received the message. While some individuals experienced issues with the test, such as receiving garbled messages, a government spokesperson affirmed that the alert was broadcast correctly, with mobile operators confirming that the test ran as anticipated

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