Germany has witnessed a significant increase in the use of its national Cell Broadcast emergency alert system. According to a spokesperson for the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK), 27 alerts have been transmitted at the highest warning level (Level 1) this year alone. This marks a substantial rise compared to the 26 alerts sent throughout the entirety of 2024 and the 13 recorded in 2023.
Overall, 136 Cell Broadcast alerts have been issued this year up to the beginning of September, a figure marginally lower than the 148 alerts transmitted throughout 2024. Since the system’s introduction in February 2023, a total of 545 alerts have been dispatched nationwide.
A nationwide alert day is scheduled for this Thursday, during which every mobile phone user with a switched-on device will receive a text message via Cell Broadcast, preceded by an audible tone. The exercise is designed to familiarize the public with the system and ensure its effective operation.