The National Early Warning and Population Alert System will be put to the test, which is expected to begin at 11:00 AM, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced. This exercise, designed to check the country's readiness, also covers the BG-ALERT system, whose tests will also begin at 11:00 AM and will continue until 11:30 AM, as stated on the system's official website.
The alarm signal is expected to echo in key cities and regions across the country. The National Early Warning System check will be conducted in the capital Sofia, as well as in the major coastal centers of Burgas and Varna. In addition, the test will cover Kardzhali, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Smolyan, Vratsa, Stara Zagora, the municipal centers in these regions, as well as certain municipalities in Vidin, Pernik, and Yambol. Last but not least, the populated areas within the 30-kilometer zone around the "Kozloduy" nuclear power plant will also be checked, the MoI emphasizes.
Such system tests are conducted twice a year. Traditionally, they are planned for the first working day of April and October. During these exercises, acoustic signals are activated, which serve as a warning to the population. These signals are accompanied by voice information, which aims to provide additional instructions.
The Ministry of Interior emphasizes that the main goal of these exercises is to check the technical condition of the National Early Warning and Alerting System, as well as to train the population how to react in the event of a real danger.