What's behind it

Siren alarm on Saturday morning gives Vienna a rude awakening

Early on Saturday morning, a wailing siren caused an unwelcome commotion in the city. Police and Wiener Netze give the all-clear.

Those Viennese living in the vicinity of the Wiener Netze headquarters in Simmering were rudely awakened today. Shortly after 7 a.m., sirens sounded there, surprising residents. The piercing sound was reportedly particularly audible in the area around the main railway station.

Surprise and uncertainty spread, as there was no information or instructions on the radio or television. Numerous users expressed concern on X. 

The police finally gave the all-clear and pointed out that it was a test alarm from Wiener Netze. 

We then contacted the electricity supplier. "Every two years or so, we have to test the critical infrastructure in accordance with regulations," explained a company spokeswoman. The test was scheduled for between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., so things should be quiet again from now on.

The spokeswoman was surprised that the sirens had caused an uproar, as test alarms are common in the country. But at midday and not early in the morning.