False alarm alert causes panic in Hawaii

Alerts advising Hawaiians to seek immediate shelter from an incoming ballistic missile were sent in error when someone "pushed the wrong button", officials say.

Shortly after 8am on Saturday (early Sunday morning NZ time), several alarmed Hawaii residents began posting screenshots of alerts they had received reading: "BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL."

HAWAII - THIS IS A FALSE ALARM. THERE IS NO INCOMING MISSILE TO HAWAII. I HAVE CONFIRMED WITH OFFICIALS THERE IS NO INCOMING MISSILE. pic.twitter.com/DxfTXIDOQs

— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) January 13, 2018

A corrected alert was sent out 38 minutes later. "There is no missile threat or danger to the State of Hawaii," it read. "Repeat. False Alarm."

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.

Back from golf (another high score!). NOBODY told me about the Hawaii Missile Threat False Alarm until now because of my orders to NEVER be disturbed while playing golf. SO IT WASN'T MY fault I didn't respond! I’ll turn on Fox News & call the President of Hawaii to get more info.

— Donald J. Trump (@RealDonaldTrFan) January 14, 2018

Source: Stuff.co