US

Hawaii tests nuclear warning siren for first time since Cold War

Amid heightened nuclear tension with North Korea, Hawaii carries out siren test

As tensions between the United States and North Korea continue to simmer, Hawaii will start a statewide test of a Cold War-era early warning system designed to inform its residents of an impending nuclear attack. Photograph: New York Times
As tensions between the United States and North Korea continue to simmer, Hawaii will start a statewide test of a Cold War-era early warning system designed to inform its residents of an impending nuclear attack. Photograph: New York Times
Sat Dec 02 2017 - 12:53

Hawaii has conducted its first test of a siren to warn the public of a possible nuclear attack from North Korea.

The US state is the first to test such a warning system since the end of the Cold War.

The wailing siren sounded for a minute on Friday after the usual testing of a system to alert people to natural disasters.

The move comes the same week North Korea fired a powerful nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile that some observers believe could reach the US mainland.

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Hawaii governor David Ige said the possibility of a strike is remote but that people have to be prepared.

Officials delayed testing by a month to ensure residents and visitors were informed.

Some still expressed confusion this week about what they were supposed to do after hearing the attack siren.

– AP