Disaster alert: your phone will ring if you're in the 17th arrondissement this Tuesday

The capital will soon experience the same little scares as the inhabitants of the south of France, who have already tested the disaster warning device, set up to indicate a tsunami risk. It is due to be tested for the first time in Paris, in certain arrondissements, and will send a noisy notification to all cell phones in the area, indicating a danger, which this time will be false, but could well occur one day.

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This FR-Alert system informs users of a danger zone and gives them advice on how to protect themselves in advance. Each user receives a priority notification that is displayed even if the phone is locked or on silent, accompanied by an audible alert and vibration, which many described as surprising during the latest tests. Three tests are scheduled in the capital over the next few weeks:

• Thursday, February 15, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., in the 13th arrondissement
• Friday, March 22, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the 15th arrondissement
• Tuesday, April 23, from noon to 1 p.m., in the 17th arrondissement

As the risk of a tsunami is highly unlikely in the capital, the reason given could be"natural, industrial, terrorist or health-related", such as a major flood or nuclear accident. Whether you live in these districts or are just passing through, don't panic this time - it's just a test! Please do not contact the police or emergency services, and do not spread false rumors.