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Mimi Launder
Jan 14, 2018
An official alert about an incoming ballistic missile sent Hawaii into panic on Saturday until it was declared a false alarm.
Amid increased tensions with North Korea, the rogue nuclear state which has said it can reach US territories with a nuclear-armed missile, residents received this message:
BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
State governor David Ige said the message was sent when an employee press the wrong button, and the FCC has since launched an investigation.
UPDATE: Hawaiian Gov. David Ige says state accidentally sent out an imminent missile alert because "an employee pus… https://t.co/HJLA6atEUG— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) 1515876380
The message was sent to mobile phone users.
I’m in a parking lot in Waimea, Hawaii right now and everyone’s phones are buzzing with a warning about an incoming… https://t.co/ghmlBY1Muo— David Wolman (@David Wolman) 1515867040
Footage has also circulate from around the moment the false alert was sent out.
Hawaiians receive emergency text warning of ballistic missile threat but officials later say it was a mistake… https://t.co/tD5d13awQ4— ⓄⓋⓁⓄⓋ (@ⓄⓋⓁⓄⓋ) 1515879942
Students at University of Hawaii at Manoa panicking after missile threat was issued #hawaii https://t.co/NfDkt1L5TQ— Joe Walker (@Joe Walker) 1515878343
Pt 2. Students at University of Hawaii at Manoa panicking after missile threat was issued https://t.co/7vO0n2qndf— Joe Walker (@Joe Walker) 1515878375
It prompted mass panic and terror.
@RegiBrittain I’m still shaking. My husband ran around closing windows (against radiation); I filled water containe… https://t.co/P0o2RmL1Kf— Nancy Christenson (@Nancy Christenson) 1515872852
My friend, a mother: "I had a full blown panic attack and was calling family telling them goodbye."— Gene Park (@Gene Park) 1515869659
This Hawaiian cop said "no one was prepared for this".
People shared the frantic texts and calls they received.
There was an Emergency alert for a missile threat in Hawaii around 8 am Hawaii time. My mom texted me around that s… https://t.co/LeAc00PGQL— ♡ KIᗰ ↑% (@♡ KIᗰ ↑%) 1515871464
My son texted me from Hawaii. It was a simple text. “ I love you” but I knew something was up. I googled #hawaii and almost lost my mind. 😳— Orpheus Black (@Orpheus Black) 1515871036
News anchor Sara Donchey woke up to these texts.
This was my phone when I woke up just now. I'm in Honolulu, #Hawaii and my family is on the North Shore. They were… https://t.co/PNzlvH18sz— Sara Donchey (@Sara Donchey) 1515869898
Motherboard reporter Sarah Emerson tweeted about the experience.
It was announced as a false alarm - but people remained bewildered and scared.
HAWAII - THIS IS A FALSE ALARM. THERE IS NO INCOMING MISSILE TO HAWAII. I HAVE CONFIRMED WITH OFFICIALS THERE IS NO… https://t.co/DHX6WTLe7d— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@Tulsi Gabbard 🌺) 1515867570
In a basement under hotel. Barely any service. Can you send confirmed message over radio or tv https://t.co/qHLeQSecnd— JJ Spaun (@JJ Spaun) 1515868018
@Hawaii_EMA Can y’all give some more details on this? Why was this message sent? Was there a missile but it veered… https://t.co/apmKz7LNXI— Pris Blossom🍁🌙✨ (@Pris Blossom🍁🌙✨) 1515867793
Saw soccer parents running off the field in fear; my boys & nieces are still very shaken. As parents, we could use… https://t.co/puQdUWBRjE— Jill N. Tokuda (@Jill N. Tokuda) 1515869839
Many were left wondering how such a serious mistake could have happened.
At 8:07am everyone in Hawaii got a phone alert: BALLISTIC THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS… https://t.co/rQto1fyaND— brynguist (@brynguist) 1515868456
The President of the United States somehow managed to keep it chill though.
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