France unveils smartphone emergency app

The French government has created an emergency alert application intended to send swift warnings to smartphone users in the event of a bombing, shooting or other disaster.

The app, developed after last year's bloody attacks on Paris, is being released Wednesday ahead of the European Championship soccer tournament starting June 10.

Available in English and French, the app can be configured to release a smartphone alert if an attack occurs nearby. Officials demonstrating the app showed a smartphone screen turning crimson along with the words "ALERT," a brief description of what was happening and advice on how to react.

Initially configured to alert only armed attacks and bombings, French officials eventually plan to update the app so that it can flag industrial accidents, floods and other emergencies.

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