Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior has announced that the National Early Warning and Public Alert System will undergo a scheduled test on Wednesday, October 1, starting at 11:00 a.m.
The exercise will be carried out across multiple regions, including Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Kardzhali, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Smolyan, Vratsa, and Stara Zagora.
Municipal centers in Vidin, Pernik, and Yambol provinces will also participate, along with all settlements within a 30-kilometer radius of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.
In addition to the sirens, the BG-ALERT mobile notification system will be tested between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Citizens in the designated regions can expect both acoustic warning signals and accompanying voice messages during the drill.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that the nationwide exercise is conducted twice a year, on the first working day of April and October. The objective is to verify the technical performance of the alert system while training the public to respond correctly to emergency notifications.
Officials stressed that these routine checks are essential to ensuring public safety, particularly in cases of natural disasters, industrial accidents, or nuclear-related emergencies. The Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, the only one in the country, has long been a focal point for safety preparedness exercises.
In Sofia Municipality, the test will begin precisely at 11:00 a.m. Authorities will closely monitor the performance of the loudspeakers and notification systems to evaluate their reach and effectiveness. Citizens are advised not to panic during the alarms, as the signals are strictly part of the scheduled exercise.
The Ministry also highlighted the importance of citizen awareness. “Testing the system not only ensures that the equipment functions properly but also familiarizes the population with the sounds and messages, so they can react appropriately in real emergencies,” the statement noted.
The BG-ALERT system, designed to send direct notifications to mobile phones, will work in parallel with the sirens. Officials say this dual-channel approach increases the chances of reaching residents quickly and reliably during crises.
These tests are part of Bulgaria’s broader national security strategy, aligning with European Union standards for emergency preparedness and public alert systems. Regular evaluations help authorities adapt to evolving risks and reinforce public trust in national safety measures.
For residents, the October 1 drill is not only a technical verification but also an opportunity to rehearse how to act in urgent scenarios. By combining acoustic signals with modern mobile alerts, Bulgaria aims to maintain a robust and effective emergency communication system.