8 May, Minsk /BELTA/. An additional telephone number for the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 112, will become operational in Belarus from 1 July. This was announced to BELTA correspondent by Vitaly Novitsky, press secretary of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Belarus.
The number will be accessible from mobile phones of all operators in the country, as well as from landline phones. "It will provide access to the unified dispatch service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, just like the current number 101," noted Vitaly Novitsky. The other emergency service numbers (101, 102, 103, 104) will remain in place.
Currently, all preparatory measures for the operation of the new short number are being finalised.
"From the perspective of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, another number to call for help is undoubtedly beneficial. The more such numbers there are, the more people will be able to reach us promptly. The benefit also lies in the fact that the short number 112 is used for emergency calls throughout Europe, it is pre-programmed into all mobile devices, and tourists arriving in Belarus will also be able to easily contact the Ministry of Emergency Situations if necessary. This is particularly relevant in view of the upcoming Ice Hockey World Championship, which will be held in Minsk in a year's time," said the press secretary of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. -0-