Bulgaria conducts nationwide emergency alert system test

Bulgaria conducted a nationwide test of its National Early Warning and Notification System (NSRPO) and the BG-ALERT system on October 1. The testing period lasted from 11:00 to 11:30.

The test involved the activation of acoustic sirens in several cities, including Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Kardzhali, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Smolyan, Vratsa, and Stara Zagora. Testing also occurred in municipalities within the Vidin, Pernik, and Yambol regions, as well as in the 30-kilometer zone surrounding the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.

Unlike the sirens, the BG-ALERT system sent test messages across the entire country in both Bulgarian and English. Authorities noted that receiving these mobile alerts depends on individual device settings; users must enable the ‘Test Signals’ channel in their phone menus to receive future test messages. The primary objective of the exercise was to verify the functionality and readiness of all system components.