In 2024, Malta’s emergency line 112 received 408,000 calls, but only about 90,000 were genuine emergencies, meaning just 22% of calls required real assistance.

On average, calls were answered within three seconds.

Minister for Home Affairs, Security, and Employment Byron Camilleri shared this information during an event marking European 112 Day at Bormla Primary School, attended by Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela.

During the event, officials from the Police Force, Armed Forces, Civil Protection Department, and Health Department demonstrated emergency procedures and equipment to students, helping raise awareness about emergency response services.

Minister Camilleri emphasised the importance of using 112 responsibly, as prank or mistaken calls decreased from 57% in 2023 to 50% in 2024. He warned that misuse of the emergency line could prevent those in real need from receiving timely help.

Most genuine calls, around 79%, were for ambulance services, while 12% required assistance from the Civil Protection Department, and 9% involved the Police Force. The Armed Forces received 216 calls.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela stressed the need to educate children on when to call 112 and announced that a national awareness campaign would soon be launched to promote responsible use of the emergency line, which operates 24/7 across all 27 EU member states.

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