A possible phone glitch may have caused the emergency line 999 to be down recently.

Police were made aware of the issue when a Rarotonga resident posted on social media about calls not going directly through the emergency line to report a fire.

The call to emergency line 999 went through to a voice message that asked which extension they wished to be connected to.

Police media officer Trevor Pitt said that emergency calls are not managed by recorded messages. They go directly to the police via two lines.

“Our Comms staff ask which emergency service is required, and these are directed immediately to either hospital or fire services,” Pitt said.

“All calls are conferenced and monitored by police.”

Pitt said that there have been technical issues in the past, and these were referred to the provider at that time. He said that the telecommunications provider is now Vodafone Cook Islands.

He said that the 999 emergency line has been tested and is now working properly.

In the meantime, the police contact number is 22499, and it operates 24 hours a day.