A UK-wide emergency alert test sent to mobile phones and tablets on Sunday has caused a stir after it contained a Welsh language error. The error occurred when the message tried to translate the phrase “others safe” into Welsh, where it appeared as “eraill yn Vogel” instead of the correct translation, “eraill yn ddiogel”.
The mistake was caused by a technical error, which the UK government has said will be rectified in future tests. The government has described the emergency alert system as a “vital tool” that can be used to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies such as flooding, wildfires or terror attacks.
Despite the seriousness of the message, many people were left bemused by the mistake, with some pointing out that “Vogel” is a complete nonsense word in Welsh, as there is no letter V in the Welsh alphabet.
The alert message appeared on the home screens of mobile phones and tablets at 3 pm BST, accompanied by a loud siren-like sound lasting about 10 seconds. Some people reported receiving three separate alerts, while others complained of not receiving one at all.
According to reports, the UK government has blamed a “technical error” for the mistake and said that they would rectify it in future. The Welsh language error has been widely reported in the media, including by the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent, Sky News, and ITV News.
While the mistake may have caused amusement among some, emergency alerts are considered to be a vital tool in keeping the public safe. The UK government has urged people to take the alerts seriously and to follow any instructions given in the messages.
The emergency alert test has been developed as part of the government’s plans to improve its ability to respond to emergencies. The system is designed to be used in a range of situations, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies that require a quick and coordinated response.
Despite the Welsh language error, the government has said that the emergency alert system is a critical tool in keeping the public safe, and it is expected to be rolled out more widely in the coming months. However, it remains to be seen whether the government’s efforts to improve its emergency response capabilities will be enough to reassure the public that they are adequately prepared to deal with any crisis that may arise.
