False missile alarm sparks panic Hawaii

Following a false alarm raised over an incoming missile plunged residents of Hawaii into panic on Saturday before it was declared to be false.

Reports gathered revealed that mobile phone users received a message saying: “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill.”

But the State Governor, Mr. David Ige, apologised to Hawaiians, saying an employee had pressed the wrong button.

Meanwhile, the US government announced there would be a full investigation.

An alert system is in place because of the potential proximity of Hawaii to North Korean missiles.

In December, the state tested its nuclear warning siren for the first time since the end of the Cold War.

According to the Associated Press news agency, a push alert was sent to people’s phones.

The phone message, all in capital letters, went out at 08:07 (18:07 GMT).

It was corrected by email 18 minutes later but there was no follow-up mobile text for 38 minutes, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports.

In a tweet, the state’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) said simply: “NO missile threat to Hawaii.”

Also, television and radio broadcasts across the state were also interrupted with a recorded emergency message: “Stay indoors!

“If you are outdoors seeking immediate shelter in a building. Remain indoors well away from windows. If you are driving pull safely to the side of the road and seek shelter in a building while laying on the floor. We’ll announce when the threat has ended. This is not a drill!”