Cyprus has launched CY-Alert, a real-time population emergency warning system that will go live on June 2, Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou and Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Dr Nicodemos Damianou announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
The launch comes after two events that laid bare the absence of a public alert system. In July 2025, wildfires broke out near the village of Malia in Limassol district during a severe heatwave, killing two people and forcing the evacuation of 16 communities. The Interior Ministry subsequently acknowledged that no early warning system was in place, amid complaints that residents in threatened areas were left to fend for themselves and rely on word of mouth. Then in March 2026, a drone struck RAF Akrotiri, with additional drones intercepted on March 1 and March 4, prompting hundreds of residents near the base to evacuate their homes.
The system uses Cell Broadcast technology to send alerts directly from mobile network antennas to all devices within a designated geographic area, bypassing the limitations of SMS. It works regardless of network load, mobile provider, or SIM card country of origin, meaning it will reach foreign visitors as well as residents. No internet connection or app is required, and no personal data is collected or stored. Alerts appear on screen immediately, accompanied by a siren sound and strong vibration that override silent and mute settings.
Damianou said Cyprus becomes the 16th country in Europe to implement the system under EU-Alert technical standards, giving it interoperability and the capacity for future cross-border cooperation.
Ioannou said CY-Alert “strengthens trust between the state and the citizen, reinforces the sense of security and preparedness, and ensures that citizens will have immediate access to reliable information at the moment they need it most.”
Following the June 2 launch, a three-week testing period will follow in which residents may receive test alerts in Greek and English, accompanied by a siren sound and vibration and a clear indication that they are tests. Local authorities will notify communities in advance of any tests in their area.
Citizens are advised to update their mobile devices to the latest available software version. A helpline at 1450 will be available from Wednesday, May 27, for information and technical guidance.
In the next phase, CY-Alert will be integrated into the Next Generation 112 framework.
Ioannou also outlined wider civil protection measures being taken ahead of the fire season. Civil Defence is conducting seven community evacuation exercises across all districts this month, the first time such exercises have been held island-wide by geographic area with the participation of other relevant services. Civil Defence has also visited all communities in all districts and conducted 320 training sessions with community councils. The “Polyvios” plan has been updated to reflect the particularities of each area.
The government has allocated €3.1 million to local authorities for clearing abandoned agricultural land around communities as a fire prevention measure, carried out under Fire Service guidance based on each area’s terrain. District administrations are also proceeding with road clearances.
“Protecting human life, citizens’ property, and our natural wealth is the state’s highest priority. With the launch of CY-Alert, we are taking another step towards a safer, more organised, and more resilient Cyprus,” Ioannou said.
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