Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Unexpected test of B.C.'s emergency alert system due to 'human error'

The alert was a re-broadcast of May 5's alert system test, according to EmergencyInfoBC
emergency alert
An unexpected emergency alert system test surprised many British Columbians on Wednesday.

Residents across B.C. were caught off guard when the blaring sound of their cellphones went off Wednesday afternoon.

The province said “human error” is to blame for the surprise alert that went off around 12:15 p.m.

According to EmergencyInfoBC, the alert was “an accidental re-broadcast of last week’s test due to human error.”

An earlier scheduled alert test occurred on May 5 and was broadcast over TV, mobile phones and the radio. The province notified everyone a week in advance that the alert would take place.

Regular testing of the B.C.’s Alert Ready system is conducted to make sure provinces and territories know how to respond in case of an emergency.