Millions of Britons are set to receive an emergency alert on their mobile phones, as the Government prepares to retest its controversial “Armageddon Alert” system.
A 10-second-siren will blast through 87 million devices nationwide – even if they are on silent – later this year.
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is designed to warn the public if there is a danger to life nearby.
The EAS was first launched two years ago, with its first test conducted on April 23, 2023.
The EAS was first launched two years ago, with its first test conducted on April 23, 2023
PA
It will be tested again later this year in line with a recommendation from the Covid inquiry regarding crisis preparation, although a date has not yet been set.
The Cabinet Office emphasised that regular testing ensures the UK remains “in line with other countries that test similar systems on a regular basis”.
This will be the fifth time that the alert has been sounded. The most recent instance occurred last month to warn people of damaging winds and disruption thanks to Storm Darragh.
The two other instances were in February 2024 to aid an evacuation effort following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb, and two months later as part of flood mitigation in Cumbria.
The Cabinet Office issued an Emergency Alert at 6.45pm on Friday, December 6, to people in areas covered by the red warning in parts of Wales and the South West.
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It will be tested again later this year in line with a recommendation from the Covid inquiry regarding crisis preparation
PA
The alert – which ordered more than three million people to stay indoors – was the largest use of the system outside a test scenario.
It works by alerting all 4G and 5G phones in a designated range, which results in them vibrating and emitting a siren for a number of seconds.
Similar alerts are used in countries like the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, to warn of dangers that could threaten life.
When it was last tested, the message that appeared on phones said: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK Government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
The Cabinet Office issued an Emergency Alert at 6.45pm on Friday, December 6, to people in areas covered by the red warning in parts of Wales and the South West
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“In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
“Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
“This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”