A radio station has issued an apology after mistakenly announcing the death of King Charles.

During British station Radio Caroline’s broadcast on Tuesday afternoon local time, it is understood a song was interrupted by a pre-recorded announcement.

“This is Radio Caroline. We have suspended our normal programmes until further notice as a mark of formal respect following the passing of his Majesty King Charles III,” the voice said.

“This is Radio Caroline. His Majesty King Charles III has passed away. As a mark of respect we will now be playing suitable continuous music until further notice.

“The news media has confirmed that his Majesty King Charles III has passed away. Consequently as a mark of respect, Radio Caroline is suspending its normal programmes.”

God Save the King was then broadcast to the station’s listeners.

While it is not clear how long it was before broadcasters realised their mistake, some reports indicate the station was off-air for about 15 minutes.

On the station’s website, the broadcast between 1.58pm and 5pm on May 19 has been removed.

On Wednesday, the station’s manager Peter Moore issued an apology on Facebook, explaining that a “computer error” was to blame.

“Due to a computer error at our main studio the Death of a Monarch procedure, which all UK stations hold in readiness while hoping not to require, was accidentally activated on Tuesday afternoon (19 May), mistakenly announcing that HM the King had passed away,” he wrote.

“Radio Caroline then fell silent as would be required, which alerted us to restore programming and issue an on-air apology.

“Caroline has been pleased to broadcast Her Majesty the Queen’s, and now the King’s, Christmas Message and we hope to do so for many years to come.

“We apologise to HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused.”

Most forgiving commenters said the news was “a shock” but were glad to hear the King was safe.

King Charles has not commented on the incident but is confirmed to be alive and well.

He and the Queen are currently in Northern Ireland, where they have visited an Irish music showcase, a whisky distillery, a garden party, and a digital learning hub.

Radio Caroline was founded in 1964 as an offshore pirate radio station and is the subject of the 2009 film The Boat that Rocked with Philip Seymour Hoffman.

It has about 100,000 monthly listeners.