A hoax flood warning in the central Colombian city of Villavicencio caused widespread panic among residents late Friday. Thirty were injured in the chaos.
The hoax was started by an unidentified Blackberry user who spread the message to “please warn everyone. It seems there is a flood threat at the Chingaza water reserve. Inform everyone and pay attention to fire brigade alarms. May the Lord protect us!”
The message was subsequently spread over social media websites and caused thousands to flee their homes in underwear or even naked looking for places to be safe from the alleged flood.
One woman reportedly jumped from her apartment on the second floor and dozens of children went missing in the chaos. Panicking drivers caused several traffic accidents.
After it became known the flood warning was a hoax, calm returned and people on Twitter started making fun of the situation.
“Congratulations people from Villavicencio! You have entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the massive pajama party!,” one user wrote.
Authorities were not amused and announced to investigate who started the hoax warning.
Villavicencio is one of the cities on high alert because of flood fears after torrential rains have caused floods, mudslides and landslides killed over 114 in Colombia.