On January 7 and 8, when Orthodox Christians in Moldova celebrated Old-Style Christmas, the number of calls to the 112 emergency service increased significantly. According to data from the 112 Service, approximately 14,000 calls were received, of which about 8,000 were genuine emergencies requiring urgent intervention, IPN reports.
"During these two holiday days, we recorded intense activity, with most requests related to medical assistance and police interventions. Out of the total number of genuine calls, 4,673 were requests for ambulances, while the rest involved the police and other emergency teams", the 112 Service stated in an official release.
The most frequently reported incidents included cases of high blood pressure, abdominal or back pain, illnesses in children, food poisoning, and alcohol intoxication. A significant number of calls also reported traffic accidents and domestic conflicts. Ambulance crews were dispatched for 4,673 cases, and the police responded to approximately 1,600 incidents, most of which involved domestic violence, disputes, or individuals under the influence of alcohol.
"Police teams were requested for various situations, including domestic conflicts, assaults, and road accidents. We also recorded numerous calls related to noise disturbances or inappropriate behavior in public spaces", the 112 Service noted.
Another highlighted issue was the large number of abusive or accidental calls, which consumed a substantial portion of emergency resources. Around 800 minutes were wasted on false alerts, pranks, or information requests unrelated to emergencies. These calls directly impacted the availability of resources for genuinely critical cases.
Authorities reminded the public that making false calls to 112 is illegal, and offenders face fines of up to 3,000 lei. "False emergency calls endanger the lives and safety of citizens who truly need help," the 112 Service emphasized, urging the public to act responsibly.
