Animal and Plant Health
Disease outbreaks in animals or plants can affect food supplies, the environment and, in some cases, human health.
Hazards
Gibraltar faces a range of natural and man-made hazards. Understanding these risks — and knowing what to do — is the foundation of effective emergency preparedness. Select a hazard below to read detailed guidance.
This is preparedness information, not live emergency guidance.
This guidance is intended to help you prepare in advance. During an emergency, follow official instructions from HM Government of Gibraltar, the RGP and the Civil Contingencies Unit. Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses and fungi evolve to resist medicines, making infections harder to treat.
Cyber Incidents
Cyber attacks can disrupt essential services, compromise personal data and affect businesses and government systems across Gibraltar.
Earthquakes
Gibraltar sits near seismically active zones in the western Mediterranean. While major earthquakes are rare, tremors can occur with little or no warning.
Fires in the Home
House fires can spread rapidly. Having working smoke detectors/alarms and a clear escape plan can save your life.
Hazardous Substances
Accidental releases of toxic, flammable or corrosive substances — from industrial sites, vehicles or storage facilities — can pose serious risks to health and safety.
Hot Weather and Heatwaves
Gibraltar's summer temperatures can be extreme. Prolonged heat poses serious health risks, particularly for the elderly, young children and those with underlying health conditions.
Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Outbreaks of infectious disease can spread rapidly in a small, densely populated community like Gibraltar. Early action and good hygiene are key to reducing spread.
Overseas Emergencies
Natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorist attacks and other crises abroad can affect Gibraltar residents travelling or living overseas.
Phone and Internet Outages
Loss of mobile, landline or internet services can disrupt communication, access to emergency services and daily life. Having a backup plan is essential.
Poor Air Quality and Pollution
Air quality in Gibraltar can be affected by industrial emissions, vehicle pollution, shipping traffic, Saharan dust, and smoke from wildfires in neighbouring Spain.
Power Cuts
Power cuts can disrupt heating, lighting, medical equipment, refrigeration and communications. Knowing what to do in advance helps keep you and your family safe.
Radiation Emergency
This guide tells you what you need to do in the extremely unlikely event of a radiation emergency at HM Naval Base, Gibraltar. It has been produced by HM Government of Gibraltar, in consultation with the Environmental Agency and the Ministry of Defence.
Storms
Gibraltar is exposed to powerful Atlantic and Mediterranean storms that can bring high winds, heavy rain, storm surge and rough seas, causing disruption and structural damage.
Terrorism
As a British Overseas Territory with significant border traffic and a high-profile international presence, Gibraltar maintains vigilance against the threat of terrorism.
Tsunamis
A major earthquake in the Atlantic or western Mediterranean could generate a tsunami affecting Gibraltar's coastline. While rare, the consequences can be severe and rapid.
Water Supply Interruptions or Outages
Disruptions to Gibraltar's water supply — whether due to infrastructure failure, contamination or extreme demand — can affect health, hygiene and daily life.
Wildfires (Nature Reserve)
Gibraltar's Upper Rock Nature Reserve (URNR) is vulnerable to wildfire, particularly during the high-risk season, when vegetation is extremely dry. Fires can spread rapidly, threatening human life, wildlife, property, and air quality across the territory.