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Hawaii alert: False missile alert sparks panic | Hawaii alert: False missile alert sparks panic |
(35 minutes later) | |
An incoming missile alert plunged residents of Hawaii into panic on Saturday morning before it was declared to be false. | An incoming missile alert plunged residents of Hawaii into panic on Saturday morning before it was declared to be false. |
Mobile phone users received a message saying: "Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill." | Mobile phone users received a message saying: "Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill." |
State Governor David Ige apologised to Hawaiians, saying an employee had pressed the wrong button. | |
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. | 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. | In December, the state tested its nuclear warning siren for the first time since the end of the Cold War. |
How was the alert released? | How was the alert released? |
According to the Associated Press news agency, a push alert was sent to people's phones. | 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). | 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. | 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." | In a tweet, the state's Emergency Management Agency (EMA) said simply: "NO missile threat to Hawaii." |
Television and radio broadcasts across the state were also interrupted with a recorded emergency message: "Stay indoors! | Television and radio broadcasts across the state were also interrupted with a recorded emergency message: "Stay indoors! |
"If you are outdoors seek 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!" | "If you are outdoors seek 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!" |
How did Hawaiians react? | How did Hawaiians react? |
AP describes reaction in the state as "full-blown panic" while according to the CNBC news channel, the alert "momentarily put recipients into a state of frenzy, with scores reportedly running for shelter". | AP describes reaction in the state as "full-blown panic" while according to the CNBC news channel, the alert "momentarily put recipients into a state of frenzy, with scores reportedly running for shelter". |
Matt Lopresti, a member of the Hawaiian House of Representatives, was at home when he received the emergency alert on his mobile phone. | |
He described how he and his family had sought shelter in a bath tub. | |
"We got our children, grabbed our emergency supplies, put them in our most enclosed room in our house which is our bathroom," he told local broadcaster KGMB. | |
"We put them in the bath tub, said our prayers, tried to find out what the Hell was going because we didn't hear any alarms, any of the sirens. | |
"There's not much else you can do in that situation. You know, we did what we could... and I am very angry right now because it shouldn't be this easy to make such a big mistake." | |
What is being done to prevent this happening again? | What is being done to prevent this happening again? |
The US military confirmed no missile threat had been detected and the alert had been released in error. | |
Ajit Pai, chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission, announced an investigation. | |
"The @FCC is launching a full investigation into the false emergency alert that was sent to residents of Hawaii," he tweeted. | "The @FCC is launching a full investigation into the false emergency alert that was sent to residents of Hawaii," he tweeted. |
Why was Hawaii on edge before this? | Why was Hawaii on edge before this? |
North Korea's missile and nuclear programme is seen as a growing threat to America. Hawaii is one of the US states closest to North Korea. | |
In September Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test. | In September Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test. |
Last month, the Star-Advertiser reported that a missile launched from North Korea could strike Hawaii within 20 minutes of launch. | Last month, the Star-Advertiser reported that a missile launched from North Korea could strike Hawaii within 20 minutes of launch. |
Were you sent one of these alerts? Or do you know someone who was sent an alert? Please tell us your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Were you sent one of these alerts? Or do you know someone who was sent an alert? Please tell us your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |