WORLD
Hawaii Governor David Ige said 'human error' caused the alert to go out.
A false alert warning of a ballistic missile aimed at Hawaii on Sunday triggered panic in the US territory, forcing authorities to apologise for the "human error", amidst fears of an attack by North Korea.
At around 8.07 am local Hawaii time, an emergency alert was sent to all cell phones in caps. "Ballistic missile threat inbounds to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill".
About 10 minutes later, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency tweeted that there was no such threat. "No missile threat to Hawaii," it said. The second emergency alert went out at 8:45 am.
"There is no missile threat or danger to the State of Hawaii. Repeat. False Alarm," it said.
Hawaii Governor David Ige said "human error" caused the alert to go out.
"It was a mistake made during a standard procedure at the change over of a shift, and an employee pushed the wrong button," he was quoted as saying by CNN.
The warning went out to television and radio as well as cell phones, Ige added.
Ige also tweeted that he is meeting with top defence and emergency management officials from the state "to determine what caused this morning's false alarm and to prevent it from happening again."
and prayed for peace.
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) January 14, 2018
I know firsthand how today’s false notification affected all of us here in Hawaii, and I am sorry for the pain and confusion it caused. I, too, am extremely upset about this and am doing everything I can to immediately improve our emergency mngment systems
I encourage all of us to take stock, determine what we all can do better to be prepared in the future-as a state, county and in our own households. We must also do what we can to demand peace and a de-escalation with North Korea,
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) January 14, 2018
US Pacific Command in a separate statement said it detected no ballistic missile threat to Hawaii.
"Earlier message was sent in error," it said.
Wireless emergency alerts are usually dispatched during critical emergency situations and are a partnership of the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the wireless industry.
Shortly after the false alarm, FCC chairman Ajit Pai said the commission was launching an investigation into what happened.
Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz also took to Twitter on Satuday in the wake of the false alarm.
"There is no missile threat," the Democratic senator tweeted. "It was a false alarm based on a human error. There is nothing more important to Hawaii than professionalizing and fool-proofing this process."
White House Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters said President Donald Trump has been briefed on the state of Hawaii's emergency management exercise.
The alert came when tension with North Korea has been at one of the highest points in decades, and when North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has promised more missile tests and threatened an atmospheric nuclear test.
Less than two months ago, Hawaii reinstated its Cold War-era nuclear warning sirens amid growing fears of an attack by North Korea.
If a missile were launched by North Korea towards Hawaii, the 1.4 million residents of the islands would have only about 20 minutes' notice before it hit.
Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said the people of Hawaii "just got a sense of the stark reality of what a nuclear strike on Hawaii would be".
"Over a million of Hawaii's people were faced with the immediate reality of having 15 minutes to find a place to "take shelter," wondering where do I go? What shelter is going to protect me & my family from a nuclear bomb? But there's nowhere to go, nowhere to hide," she said in a series of lengthy tweets.
"Everyone in America needs to understand that if you had to go through this, you would be as angry as I am -- I have been talking about the seriousness of this threat for years," Gabbard said.
The Congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard accused Trump of "posturing" and not taking nuclear threats from North Korea seriously and urged to begin direct talks with Pyongyang without preconditions.
"Donald Trump is taking too long. Now is not the time for posturing. He must take this threat seriously and begin direct talks with North Korea, without preconditions, to de-escalate and denuclearise the Korean peninsula. There is no time to waste," Gabbard said.
"The people of Hawaii should never have had to go through this. The people of America should not be faced with this threat right now. We need peace -- not political bickering. We have to talk to North Korea and find a peaceful path to get rid of this nuclear threat," she said.
Hawaiian residents and tourists described an island paradise turned upside down as people crawled under tables in cafes, were ushered into military hangars and huddled around televisions to watch the news for the latest developments after the alert was issued.
Hawaii resident Amy Pottinger's husband is a pilot for the US Air Force, stationed in Hawaii. Pottinger hadn't seen the alert yet when her husband, who was on his way to work, called to tell her he was on his way home.
He was in a cafe on base when phones started going off around him, Pottinger said. As he was leaving, he saw people taking cover.
"People were crawling under tables and hiding," she said, "and going into buildings that looked more sturdy." Another citizen Jocelyn Azbell had just woken up in her Maui hotel when she was hurried into the hotel's basement to take shelter from an incoming ballistic missile.
"You're thinking, 'Oh my gosh, are we going to die? Is it really a missile (headed) our way, or is it just a test?'" the 24-year-old said.
Azbell, her boyfriend and hundreds of other hotel guests were "herded like cows" into the basement by staff.
"People are crying and people obviously were super scared," she said.
For 20 minutes, Azbell said, they waited. Finally, they were told that the alert was a false alarm, and they were free to resume their day. Azbell said she was "super relieved." "Hawaii is beautiful," she said. "But it's not where I want to die".
After strong tremors in Delhi-NCR, 4.0 magnitude earthquake jolts Bihar's Siwan
Delhi-NCR earthquake: Netizens react with hilarious memes amid 4.0 magnitude tremors, check here
BAFTA: Payal Kapdia's All We Imagine As Light faces another disappointment, films loses to...
Student paraglides to college after getting late for exam, netizens react, watch viral video
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu issues BIG warning to Hamas: 'Gates of hell will...'
Delhi-NCR Earthquake Today: Tremors of magnitude 4 jolt Delhi and adjoining areas
This film has broken world box office records, not Hollywood, Bollywood but...
Meet Satyam Pandey who got high-paying job offer, not from IIM, NIT, IIIT, his annual salary is…
Gurgaon couple reunites with lost dog after three-month search in Agra
Meet man, IIT graduate, who topped UPSC exam in third attempt, he is from...
Noida authority takes BIG action against promoters of 2 housing projects, as realty firm fails to...
WPL 2025: Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin star as Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 6 wickets
This city is the coldest, darkest and most polluted in the world, tourists are banned here due to...
New Fastag rules from today: Users may incur additional charges if...; check details
Inside Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan's son Jeh's mario-themed birthday bash, watch
Meet Indian genius, who got high-paying job offer, not from IIT, IIM, his annual salary is Rs…
Shoaib Ibrahim gifts new house to his mother-in-law, Dipika Kakar's mother gets emotional
Deepika Padukone joins Kartik Aaryan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff at Mumbai event; see viral photos
Man wanted in Canada's biggest gold heist found living in THIS Indian city, he is...
'Free Samay Raina': Badshah shouts at his concert in Gujarat
Amitabh Bachchan's son-in-law Nikhil Nanda faces legal trouble, FIR filed against businessman for...
'Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli...': R Ashwin lambasts 'superstar culture' in Indian cricket
Bombay HC to hear PIL on Sushant Singh Rajput's death, actor's father says...
Ajay Devgn's absence from Kajol's Valentine's Day post sparks speculation: 'Kalesh chal raha hai'
Anil Ambani-led company's loss widens to Rs 3298 crore in just...; its business is...
Premanand Maharaj's morning yatra set to resume after..., it was stopped because...
Champions Trophy 2025: Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar clash over Shreyas Iyer's position in team
239 composite liquor shops to be opened in..., booze business ramps up in...
Mukesh Ambani may lose the position of Asia's richest after Reliance loses...in just...days
Elon Musk-led DOGE halts Rs 175 crore election funding for India due to...
Malaika Arora shares her Paneer Thecha recipe, here's how you can make it
Mahakumbh viral girl Monalisa steps into 5-star hotel for lunch for first time, see viral post
Meet CID-fame actor, who once did a show for Rs 20, lost his wife due to...now earns...
Vinod Kambli makes surprising move, former Indian cricketer decides to donate...
Sachin Tendulkar breaking heart on V Day with Anjali in tow is oddly satisfying, watch viral video
Ekta Kapoor to face police probe, Mumbai court orders inquiry for...
Lahori Zeera makers likely to get Rs 450 crore as fundraising from Motilal Oswal among others
'You're pregnant': Ileana D'Cruz expecting second child with Michael Dolan!
Akshay Kumar touches Amitabh Bachchan's feet at ISPL2 finale, their association goes back to...
Who is Lalit Modi’s new Valentine? All about Rima Bouri, IPL founder’s new girlfriend
India's big 'treasure' is hidden here, once THIS work is done country will earn Rs...
This country hits big JACKPOT, discovers one of world's biggest gold reserves worth Rs...
Roadies XX star Prince Narula, Yuvika Chaudhary demand Rs 20 lakh bribe? Here's what we know
What led to stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that killed 18 people? 10 points