An island-wide emergency alert will be issued in Gran Canaria on Thursday, with anyone with a mobile phone potentially receiving the notification as part of the test
Tourists soaking up the sun in Gran Canaria are set to be hit with a surprise as an island-wide emergency alert test is scheduled for tomorrow, September 26.
The Canary Islands tourism board has issued a heads-up, urging everyone to stay alert, especially those with mobile phones who could receive the warning as part of the Government’s trial of its emergency system.
The tourism authority is pressing the industry to ensure holidaymakers are clued in about the drill, which will take place on Thursday, September 26, from 10am to midday local time.
Although the test is centred on Gran Canaria, the alert might also buzz through on devices in Tenerife and Fuerteventura. In a social media blast, the Canary Island tourism board cautioned: “Pay attention if you are in Gran Canaria. Take note to inform your clients. On September 26, a test of the ES-ALERT system for emergencies will be carried out.”
It further explained: “Between 10:00 and 12:00, all mobile phones in the area will receive an alert. By pressing ACCEPT, the alert will stop ringing.
“The notification will appear in English if the mobile phone’s language is not Spanish. The notice could also be received by: Vessels that are close to the island’s coastline, on the east coast of Tenerife and on the south of Fuerteventura.”
The ES-Alert system, previously tested in other Canary Islands including Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma, Lanzarote, and La Gomera, will be able to send civil protection alerts to most mobile phones with a data connection. The feature is activated by default on devices running Android version 11 or higher, or iOS version 15.6 or higher, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Canary Islands government has explained how the alarm will function: “All 4G and 5G mobile terminals within the coverage area will receive a text message with the word “TEST” accompanied by a beep and vibration that, once read and after pressing the word “Accept”, will disappear. There is no need to respond or call 112.”
If your mobile phone is set to a language other than Spanish, you could receive the alert in English. However, if your phone is switched off or in airplane mode, you won’t get the alert.
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The message will also contain a link to a survey for feedback on the alert.
The government reassured residents not to worry if they received the alert, stating: “It is important that people who are driving do not become alarmed and stop the vehicle in a safe place to read the emergency message and press accept.
“In the case of elderly relatives, it is advisable to explain to them what this alert system consists of to avoid alarming them.”
The ES-Alert system was previously deployed during forest fires in La Palma and Tenerife last year. It’s designed to be used in the event of disasters or emergencies such as fires, floods, volcanic eruptions or severe weather events, providing citizens in the affected area with vital safety instructions.
This test is being coordinated by the Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate of Emergencies, and the Emergency and Security Coordination Center (CECOES) 112. They’re working in collaboration with the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the 21 municipalities of the island and the General Directorate of Civil Protection and State Emergencies.
