Lithuania’s emergency services were prepared to activate air raid sirens in Vilnius

Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) confirmed it was ready to activate warning sirens in Vilnius on Wednesday morning after an air threat alert was declared in the Vilnius region, though the measures ultimately proved unnecessary, LRT reports.

An air threat warning was issued in the Vilnius region early Wednesday following reports of an unidentified drone near Lithuania’s eastern border with Belarus. The alert was later lifted, but PAGD spokesperson Jolita Orentaitė told BNS the agency had been prepared to sound sirens if directed by defence authorities.

“PAGD was ready, if necessary and upon receiving instructions from the defence staff, to activate sirens in Vilnius. We were prepared for that,” Orentaitė said.

She explained that during the alert, residents were primarily notified via mobile phone alerts and other communication channels. “There is no requirement that all warning channels must be activated in every case,” she noted. “Priority is given to the fastest methods—direct alerts to phones—since they allow us to reach people immediately.”

Orentaitė added that while sirens could be used in future emergencies, they were not deployed this time due to the swift resolution of the situation. National broadcaster LRT was also engaged to disseminate warnings.

The department announced plans to soon launch a 24/7 hotline for public consultations on emergency preparedness and civil defence. “We saw some panic today, so people will be able to call and ask what to do in extreme situations,” Orentaitė said.