Emergency alert in Welsh contained spelling mistake

They government says it'll be rectified for use in future

The national emergency alert
Author: PA; Lauren JonesPublished 24th Apr 2023

The Welsh language national emergency alert test sent out on phones on Sunday contained a spelling error.

The loud alarm, which rang at 3pm on all devices that were using 4G and 5G networks in the UK, lasted 10 seconds and displayed a message notifying phone users that no action was needed in response to the test.

However in Wales, for the translation of the English phrase "others safe", the message reportedly read "eraill yn Vogel" when it should have said "eraill yn ddiogel".

People took to social media to point out and criticise the mistake.

A Government spokesperson said: "A technical error caused one word in the Welsh language version of the emergency test alert to be misspelt.

"The fact that this occurred in a test alert will mean we can rectify it in future."

Once established, the emergency alert system is designed to warn the public if there is a danger to life nearby.

In future, a similarly loud notification and message will be sent to those the UK Government is seeking to reach.

The system is intended to be used in life-threatening situations including flooding and wildfires.

A review will be carried out into why some mobiles didn't receive the test.

Some people received it early, late or not at all.

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