North Korea rocket launch interrupts Australia’s Basketball World Cup preparations

It was the wake-up call the Boomers didn’t want any part of - and now FIBA has reacted to the missile warning that send shockwaves through the basketball World Cup.

FIBA has responded to the North Korean missile launch that sparked a shock emergency evacuation on the eve of the World Cup.

All three international teams located in Okinawa – Australia, Slovenia and Finland – were woken at 4am to an emergency evacuation alert after North Korea had launched a missile.

Japan’s national alert system automatically sounds an alarm through your iPhone.

The message read: “Emergency Alert: Missile launch. Missile launch. A missile is believed to have been launched from North Korea”.

Thirteen minutes later, another alert said: “Missile passed. Missile passed. It is believed that the previous missile passed into the Pacific Ocean at around 4am.”

“We will cancel the call for evacuation. Never approach anything suspicious and immediately contact the police and fire departments.”

A siren then rang out over Okinawa before a public alert to announce the details.

Australia and Finland, who played in their opening World Cup games, were both in Okinawa when the alert went out. Picture: Getty

FIBA released a statement to clarify the situation for all teams, officials and media attending the World Cup.

“Due to the launch of a satellite by North Korea, the Japanese Government sent two alarms via the “J-Alert system” on all cell phones in Okinawa,” the statement read.

“The first was sent at 3.54am and the second at 4.07am, clearing the alarm.

“The J-Alert system is regularly used in Japan to provide information on various events, like severe weather and other threats.

“In case the J-Alert system is activated, everyone is advised to stay or go inside to a nearby building.”

According to North Korea’s notice, the next test could potentially take place in October.

In April, Japan issued, and then retracted an evacuation alert after North Korea had launched a missile.

The missile scare surprised members of the Australian camp, who were unaware of the protocol in Japan.

The shock didn’t stop the Boomers from opening their World Cup campaign with a dominant 98-72 win over Finland.

Australia play Germany in their second Cup clash on Sunday from 6.30pm (AEST).

NORTH KOREAN ROCKET LAUNCH SHOCKS BOOMERS

The Australian Boomers had a scare on the eve of Friday’s World Cup opener against Finland after being woken at 4am to an emergency evacuation alert after North Korea had launched a missile.

Residents in Okinawa were woken at 3.54am to Japan’s national alert system that automatically sounds an alarm through your iPhone.

The message read: “Emergency Alert: Missile launch. Missile launch. A missile is believed to have been launched from North Korea”.

The Boomers had a rude awakening in Japan.

The all clear came 13 minutes later.

Thirteen minutes later, another alert said: “Missile passed. Missile passed. It is believed that the previous missile passed into the Pacific Ocean at around 4am.”

“We will cancel the call for evacuation. Never approach anything suspicious and immediately contact the police and fire departments.”

A siren then rang out over Okinawa before a public alert to announce the details.

In April, Japan issued, and then retracted an evacuation alert after North Korea had launched a missile.

Originally published as North Korea rocket launch interrupts Australia’s Basketball World Cup preparations