Hawaii panics after false missile alert

HONOLULU: An alert warning of an incoming ballistic missile aimed at Hawaii was sent in error Saturday, sowing panic and confusion across the US state -- which is already on edge over the risk of attack -- before officials dubbed it a “false alarm.”

Emergency management officials eventually determined the notification was sent just after 8 a.m. (1800 GMT) during a shift change and a drill after “the wrong button was pushed” -- a mistake that lit up phones across the archipelago with a disturbing alert urging people to “seek immediate shelter.”