A false alert about a ballistic missile in Hawaii Saturday sent the state — and the internet — into a panic.
Authorities confirmed the alert was an error, and Hawaii’s Governor David Ige said he was meeting with authorities to determine what caused the alarm.
According to screenshots, the alert read, “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”

A screenshot shows messages of emergency alerts on Jan. 13, 2018 for residents of Hawaii
Eugene Tanner—AFP/Getty Images
Here are some of the screenshots and stories circulating on social media.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Prince Harry Breaks Royal Convention to Testify in Court
- How Safe Is India's Railway Network?
- Column: How the World Must Respond to AI
- Elliot Page: Embracing My Trans Identity Saved Me
- How a Texas High Jumper Has Earned Nearly $1 Million
- What the Debt Ceiling Deal Means for Student Loan Borrowers
- LGBTQ Reality TV Takes on a Painful Moment
- 7 Ways to Get Better at Small Talk