A North Korean nuclear missile fired at Hawaii could possibly avoid interception, would hit too fast to evacuate the population and would claim 15,000 lives, a government file reveals.
The chilling file was presented at a meeting in the Hawaiian capital Honolulu last Thursday, two days after lawmakers met secretly to discuss the issue.
It takes the form of a presentation, explaining the threat posed by a nuclear weapon nearly six times more powerful than the one dropped on Hiroshima.
The chilling file was presented at a meeting in the Hawaiian capital Honolulu last Thursday, two days after lawmakers met secretly to discuss the issue
The file takes the form of a presentation, explaining the threat posed by a nuclear weapon nearly six times more powerful than the one dropped on Hiroshima
It predicts as many as 15,000 casualties, with up to 60 per cent of the surviving population exposed to radiation, in addition to widespread damage to infrastructure.
The presentation warns that a nuclear missile couldn’t be intercepted ‘with absolute certainty’ and there would be just 20 minutes from launch to impact.
No evacuation will be attempted in that timeframe, the file adds, so Hawaiians should prepare to shelter in place and await further instructions.
A warning statement, which would to be continuously broadcast on radio and TV and beamed to mobiles and pagers, also appears in the presentation.
It predicts as many as 15,000 casualties, with up to 60 per cent of the surviving population exposed to radiation, in addition to widespread damage to infrastructure
The presentation warns that a nuclear missile couldn’t be intercepted ‘with absolute certainty’ and there would be just 20 minutes from launch to impact
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un delivering a statement in Pyongyan about a speech made by the president of the United States of America at the UN General Assembly
It states: ‘The US Pacific Command has detected a missile threat to Hawaii. A missile may impact on land or sea within minutes. This is not a drill.
‘If you are indoors, stay indoors. If you are outdoors, seek immediate shelter in a building. Remain indoors well away from windows.
‘If you are driving, pull safely to the side of the road and seek shelter in a building or lay flat on the ground. We will announce when the threat has ended.’
Further slides advised families to keep at least two weeks of emergency supplies and gave details on which type of building could best withstand an atomic blast.
No evacuation will be attempted in the timeframe, the file adds, so Hawaiians should prepare to shelter in place and await further instructions
The test launch of an intermediate range Hwasong-12 in North Korea
The presentation, which carries the seal of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, is based on the threat of a 100kiloton bomb detonated at 1,000ft.
However, estimates for the yield of this month’s nuclear test suggest North Korea used a bomb with between 140 and 250kilotons of explosive power.
As details of their secret meeting on Tuesday emerged, Hawaiian lawmakers said they met privately to avoid spooking the public.
Their presentation was marked ‘official use only’ and reportedly showed where North Korea might target for an attack.
Yet Thursday’s presentation insisted that while Honolulu was the likeliest target, ‘impact on a neighbour island cannot be ruled out’.
The file states: ‘The US Pacific Command has detected a missile threat to Hawaii. A missile may impact on land or sea within minutes. This is not a drill.’ Pictured: A nuclear shelter