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If you were anywhere near Barcelona at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 3, you probably jumped out of your skin when your phone suddenly started buzzing. You weren’t alone. More than five million mobile phones across Catalonia received the same loud, startling message – a mass emergency alert test carried out by the Generalitat’s Civil Protection department (Protecció Civil). The alert, part of Spain’s ES-Alert public warning system, reached people in Barcelonès, Baix Llobregat, Maresme, Vallès Occidental and Vallès Oriental, making it the largest drill ever conducted by the Catalan government. Even those just passing through on a motorway or train heard their devices blare the familiar emergency tone. ‘This is a test’: five million phones buzz at once The message – sent simultaneously in Catalan, Spanish and English – was clear but harmless: “Civil Protection of the Government of Catalonia alert test. In a real emergency, you would receive instructions to protect yourself.” For a few minutes, social media was flooded with startled posts, memes and screenshots as users compared reactions to the sudden alarm. While some joked about the ‘heart attack’ it caused, others praised the initiative for raising awareness of how the alert system works. According to the Generalitat, the test aimed to familiarise citizens with the ES-Alert system and check that everything worked properly. The idea was simple – if a real emergency struck, residents should instantly recognise the alert and know to follow instructions. Officials say the test went “smoothly and effectively” The large-scale exercise was monitored from the Catalonia Operational Coordination Centre (CECAT) by Interior and Public Security Minister Núria Parlon, along with Barcelona’s Government Delegate Pilar Díaz and Marta Cassany, Director General of Civil Protection. Cassany explained that beyond testing the technology, the goal was to build public confidence: “This is about making sure the system is effective and efficient – and that people know exactly what to do if a real emergency happens.” Authorities later confirmed that the alert successfully reached all targeted areas and even people travelling through them. Preparing for real emergencies The ES-Alert system is Spain’s nationwide safety network designed to send instant warnings to mobile phones in specific geographic zones. It can be activated in cases of natural disasters, chemical incidents, or security threats, helping authorities deliver immediate instructions to protect lives. Monday’s drill, the largest of its kind so far in Catalonia, marks another step in ensuring public safety readiness. While it startled many, it proved the system’s reach – and reminded everyone of the importance of being prepared. Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more news from Barcelona
