Add this one to the list of reasons employees give for being late to work: My cell phone alarm broke.

That’s the excuse an air traffic controller gave for oversleeping and being late for his work shift on the Greek island of Lesbos.

Result: Two planes were forced to circle over the island for 30 minutes, waiting for permission to land.

While the planes circled, the airport’s director called one of the controller’s colleagues. Both planes were able to land safely.

The Transport Ministry is investigating. The European Commission has told Greece to improve its oversight of air safety to conform with EU rules or face action before the European Court of Justice.

Tags: excuse, late to work, oversleep