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Hawaii ballistic missile text message alert was 'false alarm caused by human error' Hawaii ballistic missile alert latest: 'Whole state terrified' after text message sent by mistake
(35 minutes later)
A text alert warning people in Hawaii to seek immediate shelter from an incoming ballistic missile was a false alarm, the state’s emergency management agency has said. A text alert warning people to seek immediate shelter from an incoming ballistic missile sparked panic across Hawaii after it was sent out in “human error”.
The message, issued to mobile phones on Saturday morning, read in block capitals: “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill.”The message, issued to mobile phones on Saturday morning, read in block capitals: “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill.”
The text was sent out by the national Emergency Alert System, designed to allow the US government to warn Americans within 10 minutes of authorities learning of a threat.The text was sent out by the national Emergency Alert System, designed to allow the US government to warn Americans within 10 minutes of authorities learning of a threat.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency confirmed the false alarm on social media shortly after the alert was issued. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency later confirmed the alert was a false alarm.
It said: ”NO missile threat to Hawaii. False alarm. We’re currently investigating.”It said: ”NO missile threat to Hawaii. False alarm. We’re currently investigating.”
Tusli Gabbard, Democratic Representative for Hawaii, said she spoken to officials to confirm there was not threat. The agency gave no explanation for the erroneous alert but a US Senator for Hawaii said the text was sent due to “human error”. 
“What happened today is totally inexcusable,” added Brian Schatz. “The whole state was terrified. There needs to be tough and quick accountability and a fixed process.”
He added: “There is nothing more important to Hawaii than professionalizing and fool-proofing this process.”
The state last year reinstated a Second World War-style missile warning system amid fears of an attack by North Korea.
Tulsi Gabbard, Democratic Representative for Hawaii, said she spoken to officials to confirm there was not threat.
“Hawaii – this is a false alarm,” she tweeted. “There is no incoming missile to Hawaii. I have confirmed with officials there is no incoming missile.”“Hawaii – this is a false alarm,” she tweeted. “There is no incoming missile to Hawaii. I have confirmed with officials there is no incoming missile.”
​Brain Schatz, a US Senator for Hawaii, said the text was sent due to “human error”. The US military’s Pacific Command, which is headquartered in Hawaii, said it had “detected no ballistic missile threat” to the state. 
“There is nothing more important to Hawaii than professionalizing and fool-proofing this process,” he added. “Earlier message was sent in error and was a false alarm,” it added.
Hawaii last year reinstated a Second World War-style missile warning system amid fears of an attack by North Korea. The missile alert caused panic among Hawaiians before it became clear it was a false alarm. Some complained they were not informed the alert was a false alarm for nearly an hour after the initial warning was issued.
Sirens which had not been tested since the Cold War were brought back in response to a war of words between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. Jamie Malapit, owner of a Honolulu hair salon, texted his clients that he was cancelling their appointments and was closing his shop for the day after receiving the erroneous alert.
He said he was still in bed when the phone started going off “like crazy”. He thought it was a tsunami warning at first.
“I woke up and saw missile warning and thought ‘no way’. I thought ‘No, this is not happening today’,” Mr Malapit said.
He was still “a little freaked out” and feeling paranoid even after hearing it was a false alarm.
“I went from panic to semi-panic and ‘Are we sure?”’ he added.
Hawaii last year brought back sirens which had not been tested since the Cold War in response to an escalating war of words between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.
Experts believe a North Korean missile could take just 20 minutes to reach Hawaii, leaving people with little time to react.Experts believe a North Korean missile could take just 20 minutes to reach Hawaii, leaving people with little time to react.