UK tourists in Canary Islands warned of emergency alert to be issued to ‘all’ next week

Gran Canaria beach
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Holidaymakers staying in Gran Canaria are warned that they could receive an alert on their mobile phones next week as the government plans to test its emergency warning system. The exercise will be carried out on Thursday, September 26 between 10am and 12pm local time.

Although it will be carried out in Gran Canaria, authorities have said that people in Tenerife and Fuerteventura could receive the alert as well due to the range of mobile phone antennas. The system, called ES-Alert, has previously been tested in the other Canary Islands of Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma, Lanzarote and La Gomera.

According to the Canary Islands Government, most mobile phones with a data connection will have the ability to receive the civil protection alert, with devices operating Android version 11 or higher, or iOS version 15.6 or higher having the option activated by default. Explaining how the alarm will work, it said: “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.”

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It added that the alert may be received in English if the mobile phone is configured in a language other than Spanish. Those whose phones are switched off or in airplane mode will not receive the alert. The message will include a link to a survey which people can complete to give feedback on the alert.

The government said that the alarm test should not cause concern. It said: “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.”

Playa del Ingles in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is a popular holiday destination among Brits -Credit:Getty Images/iStockphoto

The ES-Alert is used in the event of disasters or emergencies such as fires, floods, volcanic eruptions or adverse weather events, to provide citizens in the affected area with instructions for their protection. It was used during forest fires in La Palma and Tenerife last year.

The test is being organised by the Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate of Emergencies, and the Emergency and Security Coordination Center (CECOES) 112, in collaboration with the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the 21 municipalities of the island and the General Directorate of Civil Protection and State Emergencies.

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