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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Nicola Davis

UK launches emergency phone alerts public warning system

Phone screen with test alert displayed.
UK phone users are due to receive a test emergency alert on 23 April. Photograph: Gov.uk

A new government public warning system, in which alerts are sent to mobile phone users about events that may put their life in danger, has been launched in the UK with a nationwide trial planned next month.

The Cabinet Office said the emergency alert system could be deployed in events such as severe flooding, fires or extreme weather, noting that similar systems had been credited with saving lives in countries including the Netherlands and Japan.

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