False missile alert in Havana

Emergency officials in Havana said on Saturday that the alarm for a ballistic missile threat was false.

The alarm text said that a threat was coming upon Havana and that it was not about any training alarm. At the same time, residents were required to find shelter for protection.

Alarm caused panic when it appeared on people's cell phones Saturday morning, but shortly after that, authorities said it was a mistake, VoA reports.

Agency for Emergency Management spokesman in Havana Richard Raposa said it is not clear what caused the alarm.

Havana Senator Brian Schatz said the false missile threat alarm came as a consequence of a “human error” and was “that was totally unforgivable”.

The senator made comments on his Twitter account after emergency management officials confirmed the mistake. Schatz called for accountability and for creating an alarming process that is immune to mistakes.