Lahore blast: Facebook sorry after 'safety check' tool goes haywire

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Facebook apologised on Monday after a bug turned its "safety check" feature into a breaking news alert for all users after a powerful blast ripped through a public park in Lahore killing 69 people and injuring over 250.

Facebook turns on the "Safety Check" feature to help let friends and family know they are safe in case being trapped after a natural disaster or terror attack.

But in the case of Lahore terror attack people nowhere nearby or even near Pakistan received notifications Quartz reported.

In fact people as far as New York city South Africa Nepal and Canada tweeted about receiving the "Safety Check" notification activated after the Lahore bombing.

"We activated Safety Check in Lahore Pakistan after a bombing took place there. Unfortunately many people not affected by the crisis received a notification asking if they were okay. We worked to resolve the issue and we apologise to anyone who mistakenly received the notification" a Facebook spokesperson was quoted as saying.

According to a post from Facebook's disaster response team "this kind of bug is counter to the product's intent."

this is great facebook but i am not in pakistan pic.twitter.com/3HwYM6ny1u

- Brand X (eatyourdinner) March 27 2016 Not in Pakistan thanks for looking out though facebook
If you're there stay safe! pic.twitter.com/RlrFGsf3Df

- Travis Day (casuallytravis) March 27 2016 So facebook just did this. (I am not even in Pakistan) pic.twitter.com/nyo2yBSNWZ

- Menna ???? (TheMiinz) March 27 2016