False Missile Alert Causes Panic
An accidental alert warning of a ballistic missile attack sent to Hawaii cell phones last Saturday morning left residents in shock and panic. The message, sent in error by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency at 8:05 a.m., read, “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”
Officials said the message was sent out as a result of human error — an employee “pushing the wrong button.”
Vern Miyagi, administrator for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said a state emergency management employee clicked the wrong message during a routine drill that happens three times a day during shift changes.…