Cyprus conducts tsunami early warning exercise using CY-ALERT

The Cyprus Civil Defence Force is conducting a series of test alerts via the CY-ALERT early warning system on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The testing, which takes place between 11:00 and 15:00, is part of the international NEAMWave2026 exercise under the auspices of UNESCO. Residents in coastal areas who have enabled test notification settings on their mobile devices are receiving multiple warning messages throughout the designated timeframe.

The exercise aims to simulate an emergency scenario based on the historical 1222 earthquake and subsequent tsunami to verify the effectiveness of the national warning system and improve coordination among relevant authorities. The Civil Defence has emphasized that there is no real danger and that no action is required by the public. Officials, including Deputy Press Representative Chara Lazarou, clarified that the alerts are sent via a specific exercise channel rather than the national emergency channel to prevent confusion. This drill follows historical records of seismic events, including a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 1222 that impacted Paphos and Limassol.