Taiwan TV News Accidentally Reports China Has Invaded: 'Please Don't Panic'

 "Communist forces strike New Taipei City with guided missiles," a news ticker mistakenly declared during an alarming mix-up at a Taiwanese television studio on Wednesday morning.

© SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images Missiles are launched from Taiwan-made Thunderbolt-2000 multiple rocket systems during the annual Han Kuang war games in Taichung on July 16, 2020. Taiwan’s public broadcaster CTS apologized after a morning news bulletin declared that a Chinese attack on the island had begun on April 20, 2022.

CTS, one of Taiwan's public broadcasters, blamed an unknown number of staff members for the blunder, which placed text from a pre-made disaster drill at the bottom of its 7 a.m. news bulletin.

"Naval vessel explodes, facilities, ships damaged at Port of Taipei," the breaking news read. "Arson and explosives placed by suspected special forces at Banqiao Station, no casualties," it continued.

After members of the public reportedly called the New Taipei City government to ask whether a Chinese invasion had really begun, CTS admitted its error.

"The news ticker content shown earlier was part of a disaster prevention video created by the New Taipei Fire Department. Today, due to incorrect settings, the content of yesterday's video was mistakenly inserted," CTS said in a note pinned to the top of its YouTube live stream.

"Please don't panic! We hereby clarify and apologize!" the channel said.