https://apnews.com/d57653559bacdd9c21b2dbecf216c9a3

BERLIN (AP) — People in Germany braced themselves for shrieking sirens Thursday morning but instead got deafening silence in many places as the first test of the nationwide warning system in 30 years proved widely a failure and punctured the country's infamous image of efficiency.

The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance cautioned the public well in advance to be prepared for the test, which employed air-raid sirens, smartphone apps and other alert systems. Teachers were told to tell students what would be happening, and animal welfare groups advised owners on precautions to protect their pets.