Residents across Mumbai were left startled after mobile phones began ringing simultaneously across the city at exactly 11.42 am, sparking confusion and brief panic. The sudden alert, accompanied by a loud, unusual ringtone and a red warning notification, caught many off guard.
The message flashing on screens read: “India launches Cell Broadcast using indigenous technology for instant disaster alerting service for its citizens. Alert citizens, safe nation. No action is required by the public upon receipt of this message. This is a test message. – Government of India.”
Speaking to mid-day, several residents described a moment of panic as phones rang in unison:. Ayaz Khan, a nimbu pani seller in Malad, said he couldn’t understand the message as it appeared in English and a South Indian language.
Arif Khan from the nearby Lucky Dhaba said, “I had never heard such a ringtone before. I feared the phone might have been hacked. But when everyone around got the same message, we realised something else was going on,” he said. Murari Singh, who was dining at the time, said his phone rang twice within minutes, the second time “in English and Marathi”, he said.
Don’t worry, say the authorities
Officials later clarified that the alert was part of a nationwide trial of India’s Cell Broadcast emergency warning system, an initiative designed to instantly notify citizens during disasters or critical situations. No action was required, as this was only a test message.
