What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Latvia

Emergency in Latvia right now? Call 112. This free national emergency number can arrange police, firefighters, medical and other urgent assistance. You may also call 113 directly for an emergency ambulance. Give the city or municipality, street, house or building, floor and nearest landmark. If somebody is unconscious, not breathing normally, being attacked or trapped in fire or floodwater, make the call now.

This guide covers Riga, Jūrmala, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava, Cēsis, rural Latvia, the Baltic coastline and inland waterways. It is written for residents, international students, visitors and people helping others. The quick numbers and seven first actions come first, then medical emergencies, urgent police needs, fires, flooding, winter weather, the 112 Latvija app and the Cell Broadcast warning system operating since July 2025. Sources from the Latvian State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) and National Health Service checked 6 November 2026.

Quick answer: who to call in Latvia

112 — national emergency assistance: police, firefighters and rescue, emergency medical assistance, gas emergency service, maritime rescue and other urgent response routed through the national emergency call centre.
113 — emergency ambulance (Neatliekamā medicīniskā palīdzība): severe injury, collapse, serious chest pain, major bleeding, severe breathing problems or another life-threatening medical incident. Free and available continuously.
114 — GASO gas emergency: a specialist emergency contact for gas incidents listed in VUGD’s civil protection guidance; use 112 if people are in immediate danger or you are uncertain about the appropriate agency.
66016001 — Family Doctor Consultative Telephone (Ģimenes ārstu konsultatīvais tālrunis): non-life-threatening medical advice when a GP is unavailable. Weekdays 17:00–08:00; weekends and public holidays around the clock.
SMS to 112 — text-based emergency reporting: the official emergency centre accepts free emergency text messages. It is particularly useful when a person has hearing or speech difficulties, but the authority says a voice call is the usual fastest method when possible.
112 Latvija app: official application for calling 112, preparing and sending an emergency SMS and receiving app-based safety notices, subject to the necessary permissions and internet connection.
Cell Broadcast: official location-targeted emergency alerts to compatible devices, operating since 1 July 2025. These alerts are separate from both ordinary SMS and 112 Latvija app notifications.

The Latvian VUGD published a refreshed national 112 service description on 3 August 2026: Single emergency number 112. The National Health Service explains 113 at Emergency Medical Care. Specialist and gas contacts appear at VUGD civil protection guidance.

First 60 seconds: seven practical actions

Protect yourself and others from the hazard. Move away from smoke, moving traffic, violence, damaged electrical equipment, dangerous ice or floodwater if safe. Do not create an additional casualty.
Call 112, or 113 for an urgent ambulance. If unsure which service is needed, explain the complete emergency to the 112 operator.
Give the precise location. State city or municipality, street, building, apartment, floor and any courtyard entrance; in a rural area state the village, road and landmark.
Describe what happened in one sentence. ‘One person collapsed’, ‘a building is burning’ or ‘two people are trapped in a flooded vehicle’.
Count the people affected. Report who is unconscious, not breathing normally, seriously bleeding, trapped or unable to evacuate.
Answer every question and remain connected. The operator may route you to another emergency service. Wait for the transfer and follow first-aid or safety instructions.
Help crews find a safe approach. If safe, have another person meet emergency workers at the correct building entrance, road junction, bridge or beach access.

An effective example is: ‘Ambulance, please. One adult is unconscious at [street and house number], [Riga neighbourhood or town], floor 3, apartment 12. The entrance is beside [landmark]. My phone number is [number].’ If you only know a landmark, tell the operator accurately. Do not invent a street number or GPS coordinate.

How the 112 system routes Latvian emergency calls

Latvia operates an emergency-response centre system under the State Fire and Rescue Service. The authority’s 2025 description identifies three call centres in Riga, Cēsis and Jelgava. Reports are accepted through voice calls, text messages and supported vehicle eCall, then assessed and transferred to the appropriate rescue, ambulance, Police or other emergency service. The next agency’s resource management centre dispatches its own teams.

The operator may ask several questions about the location, number of people, injuries, hazards, caller name and phone number. Answer precisely and do not end the call first. If the operator says the call is being transferred, wait patiently for the receiving service. More details are at Latvia single emergency number 112 and what to say to the 112 dispatcher.

One important safety point: the authority says its emergency centre does not place unsolicited first calls to members of the public. A genuine 112 callback normally follows a call that was disconnected or a need to clarify an earlier report. Emergency dispatchers will not ask for bank accounts, identification codes or other confidential financial credentials. A caller claiming to be from 112 and demanding bank access is not following official procedure.

What to do when a medical emergency occurs

Someone collapses, cannot breathe normally or has severe injury

Call 113 or 112 if a person is unresponsive, not breathing, having severe breathing difficulty, major bleeding, sudden chest pain, a possible stroke, serious trauma or another immediate medical threat. Latvia’s National Health Service says an emergency medical team is appropriate when a condition is critical and can provide care at the scene and during transport.

The operator will ask about the person’s symptoms, consciousness, breathing, location and how to reach them. Describe what you can observe rather than attempting a diagnosis. For an unresponsive person who is not breathing normally, follow instructions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), according to appropriate training.

If somebody is unconscious, do not give them food or water by mouth. For severe bleeding, appropriate direct pressure can help when safe and according to guidance. After major trauma, avoid moving the person unnecessarily unless traffic, fire, flooding or another hazard makes remaining in place immediately dangerous. Keep a building entrance accessible to ambulance personnel.

Latvia’s National Health Service provides its list of situations warranting emergency response at Emergency Medical Care, including 113 and conditions. When there is immediate danger, do not postpone the call while arranging insurance or waiting for a clinic to open.

Medical advice when the problem is not life-threatening

A mild infection, ordinary fever, medication concern or other non-immediate symptom may not need an emergency ambulance. Latvia’s 66016001 Family Doctor Consultative Telephone is intended for advice when the usual doctor is unavailable. According to the Health Service’s August 2026 update, it operates 17:00–08:00 on weekdays and continuously over weekends and public holidays.

It is not a 24-hour weekday service and should not be used as a delay for a life-threatening illness. A person who develops major bleeding, serious breathing problems or loss of consciousness needs 113 or 112. The National Health Service also describes out-of-hours doctors and urgent-care points for cases requiring assessment but not emergency dispatch: Where to obtain medical help, updated August 2026.

Fire, smoke and building evacuation

Call 112 for a spreading fire or dangerous smoke in an apartment, hotel, workplace or vehicle. Warn others where safe and leave via an appropriate safe exit. Avoid ordinary lifts during an active fire and close doors behind you when possible. Never re-enter smoke to retrieve property.

If smoke fills the corridor or stairwell, do not attempt to force a route through dense smoke. Move to a safer protected area if possible, and tell the operator the precise room, floor, window and building entrance. Firefighters’ live instructions take priority because the safest route depends on the actual building and position of the fire.

Riga’s multi-entrance apartment blocks and some commercial buildings may have internal courtyards. A house or business address by itself may not identify which entrance a fire crew should use. Give the operator any useful staircase, gate, block or street access information. Avoid approaching industrial smoke to inspect a product label.

Police emergencies and serious public-safety threats

For an assault, dangerous robbery, crime in progress or immediate police danger, call 112. Latvia’s State Police recommends this number for events requiring immediate intervention and says callers should explain what happened, where it happened and who is calling. Report injuries or vehicles only where you have reliable information. Do not confront or pursue a threatening person.

The State Police’s own current reporting page emphasises that 112 is the unified emergency contact, free, operating around the clock and suitable for urgent Police help. That makes it a safer primary recommendation than an old list of specialised contacts. For incidents that are over and no immediate threat exists, use the relevant police non-emergency reporting process.

Official reference: Latvian State Police — how to report an urgent incident. The police also publishes an international contact format for callers outside Latvia, but if you are abroad and know somebody in Latvia is in urgent danger, seek guidance on the appropriate international route rather than assuming dialling 112 abroad calls a Latvian centre.

Gas leak and electricity hazards

If you suspect a natural gas leak, avoid open flames, smoking, operating electrical switches or any other action that could generate sparks near the suspected leak. Move people to a safe area and contact the relevant emergency service from there. Latvia’s VUGD includes GASO on 114 among its specialist contacts, while 112 can route an urgent gas hazard.

For a power line lying on a road, keep away and prevent others from approaching it without entering danger. Do not touch a wire, flooded switchboard or tree in contact with live electricity. A routine service interruption may be reported to the responsible utility, but an injured person, fire or immediate serious hazard should go to 112.

During an outage, do not operate a fuel generator, camping stove or charcoal grill in a closed home or garage because of carbon monoxide danger. Plan alternative heat and medical-device support in advance when possible.

The 112 Latvija app: voice, SMS and information

112 Latvija is an official mobile application that can initiate a 112 call, help structure a text emergency report and display safety information and certain app-based hazard notices. Location permissions may allow responders to obtain more accurate location information, but a map pin is not a replacement for stating the building, floor and entrance. Users should review permissions and understand how the app works before an emergency.

The authority says an SMS report to 112 is free and is particularly useful for people with hearing or speech difficulties, but a voice call is generally the fastest normal way to summon urgent help. In the app, a structured message can help a user describe the emergency. If a message is sent, watch for a reply or further instructions rather than assume a rescue crew has been dispatched without confirmation.

App-based notifications require a functioning internet connection and enabled device notification permissions. Do not confuse the app with Cell Broadcast: the two are separate warning channels, with different coverage and technology. Official source: VUGD — 112 Latvija website and app and how to call or text.

Cell Broadcast in Latvia: active since July 2025

Latvia introduced its national Cell Broadcast public-warning capability on 1 July 2025. The system can send a short, urgent warning directly to compatible, switched-on phones in a geographically targeted area, with sound and vibration. Unlike ordinary SMS, it transmits a warning across mobile-network cells. You do not need to register or install a separate app to receive supported Cell Broadcast messages.

Latvia’s State Fire and Rescue Service says warnings are usually written in Latvian, with English included in some cases. A phone’s alert title may appear in the device’s configured language, but the body cannot be assumed to be available in every language. International visitors should know how to find help understanding a notice, without delaying safety action.

The authority also clarifies that the 112 Latvija app sends nationwide app-based warnings in its existing system, whereas Cell Broadcast allows more precise geographic targeting. These systems are not the same as emergency SMS to 112. An official Cell Broadcast alert is not itself a request for an ambulance or Police; to summon rescuers for an injured person, call 112 or 113.

The government’s full explanation, including coverage, supported devices and the ability to review messages at 112.lv, is Latvia Cell Broadcast FAQs. Read the exact threat, affected area and action, not only the alarm sound.

Sirens and official media are still important

In addition to Cell Broadcast, Latvia uses public warning sirens, the 112 Latvija app, the website 112.lv, Latvian Television, Latvian Radio and official communications. If a siren sounds unexpectedly, check official instructions immediately and take the protective action relevant to the incident. A hazardous smoke release may require sheltering indoors, while a flood or spreading fire may require evacuation.

The authority specifically identifies the media outlets and app as additional warning routes, so people without a modern smartphone should still be able to seek updates. Do not share a screenshot without checking the current area and expiry time. In a real emergency, follow the instructions from local officials and emergency operators.

Flooding along the Daugava, Gauja and other rivers

Heavy rain and spring snowmelt can cause river rises and low-lying road flooding. The Daugava, Gauja and other waterways can affect roads and homes when water levels increase. Do not drive through unknown floodwater, wade across a submerged bridge or try to rescue a vehicle from a flooded garage. Floodwater may conceal washed-out roads, debris and electrical hazards.

When a municipality issues an evacuation order, follow the approved route early. Keep essential medicine, identification and charged communications accessible without delaying departure. If water has blocked safe exits, move toward a safer position and call 112 with the building, floor, number of people and accessible road or boat approach.

Even after water recedes, a building may have damaged power, water or sewerage systems. Do not turn on a wet electrical installation until it has been inspected. Flood response can differ between a residential street in Riga and a rural settlement near a river. Current municipal and meteorological instructions override general articles.

Baltic coast, strong storms and dangerous sea rescue

The Baltic coast and Gulf of Riga can experience strong winds and waves. If a swimmer, boater or person near a breakwater is in serious danger, call 112 and request relevant maritime or emergency medical rescue. Give the nearest beach, port, pier, marina, vessel details and any accurate coordinates. Do not enter powerful surf or cold water in an untrained rescue attempt.

On land, avoid loose signs, fallen trees, dangerous power lines and coastal roads that are closed by authorities. A severe storm can disrupt ferry, rail and road services, so do not try to bypass a weather-related closure to keep a reservation. Follow official weather and coastal updates.

Winter cold, unstable ice and long outages

Latvian winters can produce severe cold, freezing rain, deep snow and unsafe ice. Do not assume an outdoor lake or river is safe because another person crossed it recently. Ice thickness and water currents vary. For a person in distress on water or through broken ice, call 112 and give the nearest safe shore or bridge; do not run onto weak ice and create a second casualty.

Keep suitable warm clothing, torch, power bank and essential medication accessible during winter storms. A power failure can affect heating, charging, lifts and some water pumps. A routine outage should go to the utility provider, while severe hypothermia symptoms, major injury, fire or immediate danger call for 112 or 113.

If someone shows confusion, extreme weakness or loss of consciousness after exposure to cold, seek urgent medical help. Move them to safe shelter when possible and follow professional instructions about gradual warming. Do not put the person into a dangerous situation by attempting an improvised rescue over unstable ice or flooded roads.

Road accidents: motorways and rural roads

For a serious crash involving injury, a vehicle fire or a dangerous road obstruction, call 112 or emergency medical help on 113. Give the route number, direction, nearest town or junction, kilometre marker if available, and whether anyone is trapped or bleeding. Stay away from moving traffic and damaged vehicles leaking fuel. Do not walk into live lanes to obtain a photograph or identify a licence plate.

One helper may stay with the patient while another guides emergency crews from a safe junction. Avoid unnecessary movement of a badly injured person unless remaining near the vehicle is immediately unsafe. Report blocked bridges or snowy access roads to the emergency operator rather than assuming the ambulance can use the same route as a small car.

Useful Latvian phrases for emergencies

‘Palīgā!’ — Help!
‘Man vajag ātro palīdzību.’ — I need an ambulance.
‘Ir ugunsgrēks.’ — There is a fire.
‘Izsauciet policiju.’ — Call the police.
‘Cilvēks ir bezsamaņā.’ — Someone is unconscious.
‘Viņš neelpo normāli.’ — He is not breathing normally.
‘Adrese ir…’ — The address is…
‘Vai jūs runājat angliski?’ — Do you speak English?
‘Mēs esam pie…’ — We are near…

These phrases are practical aids, not a guarantee of language support. An address in Latvian spelling can be useful for tourists, especially where a place name contains diacritical marks. Give the location in a language you can communicate clearly, and ask a safe local helper to pronounce or identify the address if necessary. Do not wait to find a translator when someone is in immediate danger.

How to report your exact Latvian location

City or municipality: Riga, Daugavpils, Jelgava, Liepāja or the relevant novads and village.
Street and building: iela, māja or house number, road name and building entrance.
Apartment: floor (stāvs), apartment (dzīvoklis) and staircase entrance.
Road incident: route designation, direction, junction, nearby town or kilometre marker.
Coastal location: beach, harbour, marina, boat, island or identifiable sea access.
Forest, river or ice: named lake, river, bridge, trail, forest road and reliable GPS coordinates if known.
Callback: working phone number and note if the battery is low or roads are blocked.

A quick household or visitor preparedness checklist

Save 112 Emergency, 113 Ambulance, and 66016001 Family Doctor Advice with the correct hours.
Add gas emergency 114 when relevant, without confusing it with 112 for a life-threatening event.
Write the full address in Latvian, including municipality, building, staircase and floor.
Know the safe fire exit, a meeting point and the correct access for an ambulance or fire vehicle.
Keep a charged power bank, flashlight, water, essential food, medicine and relevant documents available for outages.
Prepare a plan for children, older adults, people with disabilities and powered medical devices.
Learn the differences between official Cell Broadcast messages, 112 Latvija app warnings and emergency SMS.
Check seasonal flood, storm, coastal and winter hazard information for the actual locality.

Common mistakes that delay help

Using a family doctor advice line for a person who has collapsed or is not breathing normally, rather than 113 or 112.
Calling a routine utility office when fire, electrical injury or immediate danger requires emergency responders.
Assuming an ordinary 112 Latvija app notification is the same as a location-targeted Cell Broadcast warning.
Believing that a phone’s warning title in English means the full Latvian alert has been translated.
Giving only ‘Riga’ or ‘Jūrmala’ without the actual road, apartment, entrance or landmark.
Driving through floodwater or going onto unsafe ice to attempt a rescue without training.
Falling for an unsolicited caller claiming to be a 112 operator and demanding bank details.
Ending an emergency call while the operator is transferring it to ambulance or Police.

Frequently asked questions

What is Latvia’s main national emergency number?

112 is free, available continuously and can route urgent Police, firefighters, ambulance and other rescue assistance.

Should I call 113 or 112 for an ambulance?

113 is the direct emergency medical line. 112 can also route an urgent ambulance request, and is especially useful when the phone has no SIM or ordinary service access.

Is 66016001 an emergency medical dispatch number?

No. It is the Family Doctor Consultative Telephone for non-emergency advice outside usual GP hours: weekdays 17:00–08:00, and continuously on weekends and public holidays.

Can I send a text message to Latvia’s 112 service?

Yes. The State Fire and Rescue Service confirms free SMS reporting to 112, particularly relevant when a person cannot speak or has hearing difficulties. When possible, a voice call remains the usual fast option.

Is Latvia’s Cell Broadcast public-warning system operational?

Yes. Latvia introduced Cell Broadcast on 1 July 2025. It is separate from the 112 Latvija app and from ordinary SMS emergency reports.

Can 112 call me first and request bank details?

The VUGD states that emergency centre operators do not initiate unsolicited calls. They may call back after an earlier emergency contact was disconnected or more information is needed, and they do not ask for bank account information or personal identity codes.

Official Latvia sources and related guides

Safety and accuracy note: General public information cannot replace live dispatch, medical instructions or government warnings. Services, weather and routes can change. Details verified against official Latvian sources on 6 November 2026. If people face immediate danger in Latvia, call 112, or 113 for an emergency ambulance.