The chemical risk drill conducted by Civil Protection this Wednesday has been a success. The Minister of the Interior, Joan Ignasi Elena, has positively assessed the drill in Tarragona and the Ebro. Meanwhile, Civil Protection has reported that, as of 11:00 a.m., “all sirens”—49 in Tarragona and 2 in the Ebro—have sounded, and that messages on mobile phones have also been received. This is the first time that sirens and mobile alerts have been activated in a drill. On the other hand, Elena has pledged that before the end of the year, a technician will be incorporated “24 hours a day, 7 days a week” at the 112 building in Reus to manage the PLASEQTA and activate these two mechanisms from the demarcation in case of a real emergency.
For 15 minutes—from 11:00 to 11:15 a.m.—the alarms warning the population to shelter in place sounded, and an alert was also sent to all mobile phones in the area. However, during the drill, there was no need to shelter in place, although people were encouraged to practice if they wished, and to remember the basic advice in the event of a chemical accident: to lock oneself in the building and close doors and windows. This is how the sirens were heard in some areas of Tarragona.
via @elnacional.cat
