2,800 US flights are canceled as a global computer outage wreaks havoc on businesses, 911 systems and government agencies

Thousands of US flights were grounded Friday as a technical disaster plagued government agencies and businesses worldwide – leading to countless stranded passengers, canceled medical procedures and disrupted 911 services.

A cybersecurity company said the debacle is “not a security incident or cyberattack.” But the technical fiasco has paralyzed airlines, banks, state agencies and even emergency services around the world.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 2,800 flights into, out of or within the United States had been canceled and 10,000 delayed, according to FlightAware.com.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina told passengers not to come to the airport unless they had confirmed their flights. Bewildered travelers at the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta were stranded as they tried to get to urgent events.

Tomorrow, I have a funeral in the afternoon,” said Ty Kelley, who was stuck at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – which had the most cancellations Friday morning.

And then on Sunday, I have my sister’s 50th birthday party,” Kelley said. But it’s not clear when or if she’ll make it to those events: “It’s really chaotic. It’s frustrating. And I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

Thousands of flights across the United States were grounded on Friday as a widespread technical disaster affected government agencies and businesses worldwide. This unforeseen calamity left countless passengers stranded, canceled critical medical procedures, and disrupted emergency 911 services.

Despite the scale of the issue, a leading cybersecurity company clarified that the incident was “not a security incident or cyberattack.” However, the technical meltdown has brought airlines, banks, state agencies, and emergency services to a standstill across the globe.

By Friday afternoon, the aviation sector was among the hardest hit, with over 2,800 flights into, out of, or within the United States canceled and more than 10,000 delayed, according to data from FlightAware.com.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina issued a stark advisory, urging passengers not to come to the airport unless they had confirmed flight details. The chaos was palpable at the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where bewildered travelers found themselves stranded, desperately trying to reach their destinations for urgent events.

Ty Kelley, one such traveler at Hartsfield-Jackson, shared her predicament: “Tomorrow, I have a funeral in the afternoon, and then on Sunday, I have my sister’s 50th birthday party.” Kelley’s frustration was evident as she faced the uncertainty of whether she would make it to either event. “It’s really chaotic. It’s frustrating. And I’ve never experienced anything like this,” she added.

The ripple effects of the technical disaster extended beyond the aviation industry. Hospitals reported canceled medical procedures, posing significant risks to patients requiring urgent care. Emergency services, including 911, faced severe disruptions, complicating response efforts and endangering lives.

Businesses also suffered immensely. Banks and financial institutions experienced system outages, affecting transactions and leaving customers unable to access their accounts. State agencies struggled to maintain operations, causing delays in essential services that citizens rely on daily.

This unprecedented event highlighted the vulnerability of interconnected systems in our modern world. As authorities scrambled to identify and rectify the root cause of the disaster, it became clear that a comprehensive review of cybersecurity and technical infrastructure was necessary to prevent future occurrences.

Government agencies and private companies are now in a race against time to restore normalcy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working closely with airlines to reschedule flights and accommodate stranded passengers. Emergency services are implementing contingency plans to ensure public safety, while hospitals are rescheduling critical procedures to minimize health risks.

In the aftermath, experts emphasize the need for robust disaster recovery plans and resilient infrastructure to withstand such widespread disruptions. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity measures and the potential consequences of technical failures on a global scale.

As the situation evolves, affected individuals and businesses continue to grapple with the fallout. The hope is that lessons learned from this crisis will lead to strengthened systems and improved preparedness for future challenges.

In the coming days, authorities will likely conduct thorough investigations to pinpoint the cause of the technical disaster. The findings will be crucial in developing strategies to enhance the security and reliability of vital systems, ensuring they can withstand similar incidents in the future.

For now, the priority remains on restoring services and assisting those impacted by this unprecedented event. The collaborative efforts of government agencies, businesses, and cybersecurity experts will be essential in navigating the road to recovery and preventing a recurrence of such a widespread disaster.

As travelers like Ty Kelley anxiously await the resolution of the crisis, the broader implications of this technical disaster will undoubtedly influence policies and practices across industries worldwide.

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