Canary Islands Holiday Alert: Emergency Warning to Hit Phones

Tourists basking in the glorious sun of Gran Canaria might want to brace themselves for a little jolt tomorrow. Yes, you guessed it—a surprise alert is about to interrupt their sun-soaked bliss. Scheduled for September 26, this island-wide drill feels a bit like having a fire drill during the quietest moment of a yoga class. Talk about an unexpected twist in paradise!

The Canary Islands tourism board has decided to wave a friendly flag, advising everyone—especially savvy mobile users—to keep their eyes peeled. After all, nothing says “relaxation” quite like the surprise buzz of a government alert during your well-deserved margarita break. That’s right, folks, we’re here for the sun and the fun and suddenly we’re participating in a governmental trial of its emergency system. Who says vacations can’t be educational?

The big event, if you will, is aimed at ensuring that holidaymakers are, at the very least, vaguely informed about the drill, which will commence tomorrow morning from 10 AM to noon, local time. And while our dear tourists might think they are the center of attention, it turns out the alert might just sneakily bother phones in nearby Tenerife and Fuerteventura too. Honestly, the excitement never ends!

In a zesty social media announcement—because that’s how we communicate nowadays—the Canary Islands tourism board encouraged: “Pay attention if you are in Gran Canaria! Mark your calendars!” The message, seemingly dripping with enthusiasm, informed us of the glorious details: during the two-hour window, mobile phones will be blaring with an alert. Yes, all you have to do to turn off this jarring sound is hit “ACCEPT.” Think of it like hitting snooze on your alarm, but slightly less satisfying.

What’s more—if your device isn't configured to the melodious Spanish language, fear not! The alert will serenade you in English. Lucky you! And let’s not forget our adventurous souls sailing close to the island; they’ll receive the same delightful notification if they happen to be within the vicinity of the eastern coast of Tenerife and south of Fuerteventura.

The ES-Alert system, which has undoubtedly confused many a tourist during previous tests across the Canary Islands, now promises to deliver civil protection alerts to most modern mobile phones with a data connection, operating on Android 11 or higher, or iOS 15.6 and up. So if your phone is dancing to a different tune—like, say, being switched off or on airplane mode—don’t expect it to join in on the fun. Talk about FOMO!

According to the wisdom of the Canary Islands government, all 4G and 5G mobile terminals within the glorious coverage area will receive a text message announcing: “TEST,” complemented by a gentle beep and a slightly aggressive vibration. All you need to do is read it and press “Accept” to make that pesky noise vanish into oblivion. And please, let’s not overreact—there’s no need to call 112 in a panic!

With a touch of empathy, they gently reminded us to keep our cool while driving. No dive into bracing panic in the middle of traffic, now. They suggest explaining this quirky little alert system to our elderly relatives—a necessary step to prevent unnecessary alarm and confusion. Because nothing says “family bonding” quite like discussing emergency alert systems, right?

This system, dear readers, has previously come to life during last year’s unfortunate forest fires in La Palma and Tenerife. It’s designed not just for show but to provide vital safety instructions in the event of disasters or emergencies like fires, floods, or the occasional volcanic eruption. Because, really, who wouldn’t want to be informed during a dramatic tropical scenario?

This whole test extravaganza is being orchestrated by the Government of the Canary Islands, with a little help from the General Directorate of Emergencies, along with many local collaborators, all working tirelessly to keep us safe and slightly confused. So, if you find yourself in Gran Canaria tomorrow amidst the jubilant chaos, remember: it’s all just part of the grand adventure!