Tourists enjoying the sun in Gran Canaria have been warned that a island-wide emergency alert test is scheduled for tomorrow, September 26.
The Canary Islands tourism board has issued a notice, advising everyone, especially those with mobile phones, to stay aware, as they may receive the warning as part of the Government’s emergency system trial.
The tourism authority is urging the industry to make sure holidaymakers are informed about the drill, which is set to take place on Thursday, September 26, between 10am and midday local time.
Although the test is centred on Gran Canaria, the alert might also buzz through on devices i n Tenerife and Fuerteventura. In a social media post 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 Mirror reports that the ES-Alert system, previously tested in other Canary Islands like Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma, Lanzarote, and La Gomera, can send civil protection alerts to most mobile phones with a data connection. According to the Manchester Evening News, the feature is enabled by default on devices running Android version 11 or higher and iOS version 15.6 or higher.
The Canary Islands government explained how the alert will work: “All 4G and 5G mobile phones within the coverage area will receive a text message with the word ‘TEST,’ accompanied by a beep and vibration. Once the message is read and the ‘Accept’ button is pressed, it will disappear. There’s no need to respond or call 112.”
If your phone is set to a language other than Spanish, the alert may come in English. However, if your phone is switched off or in airplane mode, you won’t receive the alert. The message will also include a link to a survey for feedback on the alert.
The government has reassured residents not to be alarmed by the alert, advising: “Drivers should not panic and must stop their vehicle in a safe place before reading the message and pressing accept. It’s also a good idea to explain the alert system to elderly relatives to avoid confusion or concern.”
The ES-Alert system was previously activated during wildfires in La Palma and Tenerife last year. It’s designed to provide vital safety instructions in the event of disasters such as fires, floods, volcanic eruptions, or severe weather.
This test is being organized by the Government of the Canary Islands, in coordination with the General Directorate of Emergencies, the Emergency and Security Coordination Center (CECOES) 112, the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the island’s 21 municipalities, and the General Directorate of Civil Protection and State Emergencies.
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