Hawaii Governor 'couldn't tell people missile warning was a false alarm because he didn't know Twitter password'

The Governor of Hawaii delayed telling the public that a widespread missile alert was a false alarm because "he didn't know his Twitter password".

David Ige told reporters "part of the delay in notifying the public that the...missile alert was a false alarm was because he did not know his Twitter password," according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Locals and tourists alike were left terrified on January 13 after a false alarm sent directly to their phones warned them: "This is not a drill."

An "emergency alert" sent to people all over the US island state read: "Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill."

Reports on social media claim sirens sounded across the island as panicked residents sought shelter amid the confusion.

A spokesman for the Hawaii Emergency Managment Agency told NBC News there was "no missile threat to Hawaii".

Commentators say the false alarm did little to stem local fears of a missile attack.

In December, Hawaii reinstated its siren warning system designed to alert residents of an impending nuclear attack after North Korea successfully tested a new intercontinental missile.

Speaking at the time, Mr Ige said: "There needs to be different action taken should there be a nuclear attack than what is expected for a hurricane or tsunami."