With the annual siren test, the new disaster warning system AT-Alert was activated for the first time on Saturday – throughout Austria. A loud acoustic signal sounded twice on the mobile phones, together with a text message in German and English on the screens (see video above).
“Attention test – test activation throughout Austria of civil defense signals via sirens and test activation by AT-Alert,” could be read on these mobile phones. At the highest level the alarm could not be suppressed. Those who did not want to receive the trial warning had to put their mobile phone in airplane mode or turn it off completely.
Matter of attitude
However, the acoustic signal did not go to all mobile phones. According to the Ministry of the Interior, this may have to do with institutions. In the menu, sub-items such as “Extreme danger” and “Test warning” can be activated or deactivated. Older devices (2G/GSM network) could only receive the highest warning level, which is an emergency alarm. For Android devices, it is said to be necessary to have a current version of the Google Play application installed.
What is reported
Mobile phones registered abroad and located in Austria can receive the messages.
AT-Alert is intended to complement the national siren warning system in Austria. Authorities can send regional or national alerts through mobile phone providers. The system is based on cell broadcast technology, an independent message transmission technology. Text messages are sent to mobile phones logged into the affected area.
Possible warnings relate to hazards such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, impending floods or forest fires.
At the same time as the warnings on mobile phones, the annual national test alert for civil protection also took place on Saturday afternoon. The three signals “warning”, “alarm” and “all clear” were broadcast. This time, a total of 8,356 sirens were tested nationally for functionality, of which 99.43 percent experienced no problems. The Ministry of the Interior announced this in a press release.
There were no disruptions in the states of Burgenland and Vorarlberg. Most of them were in Styria (22), but even there 98.28 percent were okay.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
