As part of the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC), BOM is responsible for monitoring and issuing tsunami warnings, emphasizing the need for clear communication.

Queensland's disaster management coordinator, Shane Chelepy, described the incident as 'regrettable' and noted that the warning should not have been sent.

BOM is currently investigating how the error occurred during the testing process to prevent future incidents.

Users on social media expressed their confusion, with reactions ranging from alarm to humor, as many app users shared their experiences.

The erroneous warnings were quickly deleted, and BOM reiterated its apology for the confusion caused by the test alerts.

On September 25, 2024, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) mistakenly issued a tsunami warning for the east coast, referencing a fictional 8.2-magnitude earthquake off New Zealand.

The warning, sent around 11:30 AM, reached residents along the New South Wales and Queensland coast, and even inland areas like Canberra, causing widespread confusion and panic.

Although the alert contained the word 'TEST,' it was not clearly labeled as such in the title, leading to misunderstandings among the public.

BOM had previously announced the test via social media, but many users were unaware of the planned exercise, which contributed to the chaos.

Shortly after the initial alert, BOM issued a follow-up message clarifying that it was a test and promptly canceled the tsunami warning.

The bureau later confirmed that there was no actual tsunami threat to Australia and emphasized that the alerts were part of a transition to new tsunami early warning system software.

BOM acknowledged the confusion caused by the test warnings, apologizing for the misunderstanding and highlighting the importance of such tests for preparedness against real tsunami threats.