Almost half of calls to 112 emergency line in 2025 were not emergencies or were fake calls
During 2025, a total of 384,468 calls were made to 112 with 184,693 calls – 48% of all calls – deemed to be either not appropriate for the emergency line or be false or abandoned calls, the Home Affairs Ministry and Education Ministry said in a joint statement.
A total of 96,416 genuine and valid calls were escalated to the second level of response, with 79.2% of them being directed to the Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital, 12.5% to the Civil Protection Department, 8.1% to the Malta Police Force, and 0.2% to the Armed Forces of Malta
On the occasion of European Emergency Number 112 Day, commemorated annually on 11 February, an educational awareness activity was organised in the primary schools of Fgura. The initiative focused on promoting the responsible and appropriate use of the 112-emergency number and increasing awareness about the role of emergency services.
Students participated in interactive sessions and educational simulations led by members of the disciplined forces. They learned how and when to use 112, as well as about the essential role emergency services play in safeguarding public safety.
The initiative was organised with the participation of the Malta Police Force, the Armed Forces of Malta, the Civil Protection Department, and the Emergency Department.
The event was addressed by the Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri, and the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima. Both Ministers emphasised the importance of teaching safety awareness and civic responsibility from an early age.
European 112 Day serves as a reminder of the importance of this emergency number, which is accessible from any telephone and ensures a rapid response in situations of emergency. Initiatives such as this help strengthen public awareness and improve the effectiveness of responses in real emergency situations.
During the activity, Minister Byron Camilleri explained that in recent years the Ministry has been working on the introduction of an alert system known as Reverse 112. This system will enable every mobile phone connected to local antennas in Malta, regardless of the SIM card’s country of origin, to receive emergency notifications and instructions when necessary.
Following the signing of the contract last September, work has commenced on ensuring interoperability between different systems, with the aim of having the system operational by the end of the year.
Once implemented, Reverse 112 will ensure that all mobile phone users in Malta can receive emergency alerts and instructions within a short timeframe, significantly strengthening public communication and enhancing citizens’ safety.
Minister Clifton Grima addressed the students, highlighting the importance of holistic education that extends beyond the academic curriculum. “The National Education Strategy 2024-2030 also focuses on helping you grow into responsible citizens. The education you receive at school is not only about academic subjects, but also about becoming active, responsible members of society who participate thoughtfully in what happens around them,” Minister Grima stated.
The Minister also encouraged students to consider future careers within the emergency services sector, underlining the sense of fulfilment that comes from dedicated service to the community.
RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta Almost half of calls to 112 emergency line in 2025 were not emergencies or were fake calls