Around 30,000 residents in five municipalities near the Vandellòs II nuclear power plant in Tarragona will receive a test nuclear emergency alert on their mobile phones on Monday, 27 April at 11am.
The drill, organised by the Civil Protection Unit of the Spanish Government's Sub-delegation in Tarragona, aims to test the ES-Alert mass notification system. This marks the first time citizens in the area will receive such a direct alert on their devices.
The exercise will cover a 10-kilometre radius around the Vandellòs II plant, impacting residents in Vandellòs i l’Hospitalet de l’Infant, Mont-roig del Camp, L’Ametlla de Mar, Pratdip, and Tivissa. The message will clearly state it is a simulation, requiring no action or contact with emergency services, according to officials.
Testing Alert System Effectiveness
The primary goal of the test is to check the effectiveness of the ES-Alert system. This system is considered a critical tool for nuclear accidents due to its speed and ability to reach many people quickly. All connected devices within the designated area will receive the notification.
The Spanish Government's Sub-delegation in Tarragona coordinated the preparation for the drill. They worked with Protecció Civil, the Spanish Government's Delegation in Catalonia, and the local councils involved. Following the exercise, authorities will gather information to assess how well the system worked and its actual reach among the population.
This simulation is part of ongoing efforts to improve emergency response protocols in Catalonia. The data collected will help refine future alert strategies and ensure public safety in the event of a real incident.
