India, May 2 -- Several mobile phone users were left startled on Saturday morning after their devices suddenly rang with a loud emergency beep as part of the government's instant disaster alerting service test.

(Also read: India tests disaster info system, citizens receive 'extremely severe alert' on phone)

The alert, which appeared on multiple phones, led to confusion among people who initially struggled to understand what had happened. When users checked their screens, they saw a message beginning with the words "Extremely severe alert".

The message read: "India, launches Cell Broadcast using indigenous technology, for instant disaster alerting service for its citizens. Alert citizens, safe nation. No action is required by the public...