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Welsh language error in government emergency alert

BBC Emergency alertBBC
For the phrase "others safe", the message read "eraill yn Vogel" in Welsh, despite the letter V not existing in the Welsh alphabet

A UK-wide emergency alert test sent to mobile phones on Sunday included a Welsh language error.

For the words "others safe", the message read "eraill yn Vogel" when it should have been "eraill yn ddiogel".

"Vogel" has no meaning in Welsh, as there is no letter V in the Welsh alphabet. It means bird in German and a ski resort in Slovenia is named Vogel.

The UK government blamed a "technical error" for the mistake and said this would be rectified in future.

The message appeared on the home screens of mobile phones and tablets at 15:00 BST, accompanied by a loud siren-like sound lasting about 10 seconds.

Some people reported getting three separate alerts, while others have complained of not receiving one at all.

The UK government said the new system is a "vital tool to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies".

It will be used in cases of flooding, wildfires or terror attacks.

A UK government spokesperson said: "A technical error caused one word in the Welsh language version of the emergency test alert to be misspelt.

"The fact that this occurred in a test alert will mean we can rectify it in future."