UK government emergency alarm test halts play and causes confusion at 2023 World Snooker Championship

Play was halted at the World Championship for the UK government’s emergency alarm test, and it predictably caused a bit of confusion at the Crucible.

The government announced earlier in the year a test message would be sent to all UK mobile phones at 3pm on Sunday – right in the middle of the afternoon session at the World Champpionship.

WST chiefs confirmed play would be halted shortly before 3pm, but things did not go according to plan.

“Maybe that is the alert,” referee Leo Scullion told the players after alarms were initially heard inside the Crucible.

After alarms were then also heard at 3pm, Scullion invited Mark Selby to break off in the 10th frame.

Just as Selby stood up, further alarms were heard.

“Well Selby is trying to break,” Dave Hendon said on Eurosport commentary. “They thought the alarm had been sounded already, but it has gone off again.

“It’s all very strange.”

Just as Selby hit his break, more alarms were heard.

“This is a bit comical now,” Hendon added.

Scullion looked up to the referees’ box for guidance as further alarms were heard, and the official made an appeal for spectators to leave their phones switched off until the interval.

Silence eventually descended, and Hendon added: “It has been a strange championship in a lot of ways.

“The snooker has been great, but there has been all sorts happening – including this alarm testing.

“Hopefully that is the end of it.”

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