How To Use Facebook Safety Check For Hoboken

In response to Thursday's NJ Transit train crash in Hoboken, Facebook has activated their Safety Check feature. If you're looking to quickly notify friends and family that you're safe, here is how to use the Facebook Safety Check for Hoboken. According to Facebook, Safety Check lets you swiftly share with your online friends that you're OK in the event of a disaster. It also allows you to check on other people in the affected area and connect with them.

According to Facebook's page on Safety Check, if it looks like you're in an area where an event may have occurred, they'll automatically send a notification to you asking if you're safe. If you are, all you have to do is tap the "I'm Safe" button to confirm that you're OK. Then, when your friends search Facebook for the Safety Check for the event in question, they'll be able to see that you've marked yourself as safe. The Facebook Safety Check page for the Hoboken crash can be found here.

If you want to ask if someone else is safe, simply go to the Safety Check page, where you can see a list of your friends who have marked themselves as safe, as well as the friends in the area who have not said anything yet. Clicking the "Ask If Safe" button next to a friend's name will send a notification to that friend, asking them to check in.

This feature was launched in October 2014 and has been vital in connecting all of us during disasters ever since. Here's an example of what Safety Check looks like in action.

Safety Check categorizes the type of disaster or crisis that took place and lists the affected location(s), making it even easier to touch base with the people you care about.

According to ABC News, NJ Transit has released the following statement regarding the incident:

At approximately 8:45 a.m. train #1614, a Pascack Valley line departure from Spring Valley operating to Hoboken, struck the Hoboken Terminal building on track 5. Initial reports indicate multiple critical injuries. Rail service in/out of Hoboken is suspended due to the incident. HBLR and PATH are also suspended into and out of Hoboken Terminal. NJ TRANSIT bus, private carriers, and gerry services are cross-honoring NJT rail tickets and passes.

The New York Times reported that an anonymous senior transportation official confirmed at least one death and "a significant number of injuries." Rail service into and out of the station has been suspended, and local buses and ferries are now accepting commuters with train tickets. While the news remains scarce at this moment, photos shared on Twitter are telling a scary story. Let's all continue to hope for everyone's safety and well-being.

Image: Melissa Mills/Bustle