During 2024, 408,000 calls were made to the 112 line. Just over 90,000 calls were for genuine help. This means that 22 calls out of every 100 were genuine.
This information was given by the Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri during an activity held every year to commemorate 112 Day. This year the activity was held at the Cospicua primary school and was also attended by the Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela.
During this activity, officers and vehicles from the Police Force, the Armed Forces of Malta, the Civil Protection Department and the Department of Health who are directly involved in providing their services in cases of emergency took part. During the activity, the students of the Cospicua primary school were able to see up close the equipment used by workers during an emergency as well as being given information about the procedures that are taken.
Minister Byron Camilleri stressed the need for anyone who calls the 112 line to really need help. Compared to 2023, there was little change in the number of calls made to 112 that were truly genuine. From 57% in 2023, calls made by fraud or mistake last year decreased to 50%.
He appealed: “Those who call 112 should do so wisely because a fraudulent or malicious call could mean that those who really need it will be affected.”
The minister also listed how genuine calls to 112, which is operated and managed by the Police Force, were distributed to the various departments according to the nature of the emergency involved. In fact:
- 79% of calls were directed to the emergency department for ambulance service;
- 12% of calls were directed to services provided by the Civil Protection Department;
- 9% of calls were addressed to the Police Force;
- The Armed Forces of Malta received 216 calls
Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela explained that the majority of calls received on the 112 number were directed to the ambulance service, which were not always made wisely. He therefore stressed the importance of educating children from a young age about the importance and necessity of when to use the 112 number.
He said that the ministry is at an advanced stage to launch an awareness campaign on this in the coming weeks. The minister concluded by thanking all professionals in this sector and encouraging children to join one of these professions when they grow up, where they save a number of lives every day and support Maltese and Gozitan citizens.
The emergency number 112 is the same in all 27 member states of the European Union. It is a line that operates 24/7 all year round everywhere.
Photo: MHSE/MHA
