UberEats promised to deliver 36,000 free Krispy Kreme donuts. Then the app crashed.

Disgruntled Londoners took to Twitter after UberEats crashed in the midst of a free Krispy Kreme donut promotion. Disgruntled Londoners took to Twitter after UberEats crashed in the midst of a free Krispy Kreme donut promotion. Photo: Twitter Screen Grab Photo: Twitter Screen Grab Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close UberEats promised to deliver 36,000 free Krispy Kreme donuts. Then the app crashed. 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

For its London launch on Tuesday, UberEats pledged to deliver 36,000 free Krispy Kreme donuts between 2 and 6 p.m.

As 2 p.m. rolled around and sugar-craving Londoners logged into Uber for their free glazed confection, the app crashed within seconds of the promotion's launch, according to the Daily Mail. Mere anarchy was leased upon London, with thousands of Brits reportedly left sans donut.

The matter was not taken lightly on Twitter, as generally decorous London residents expressed outrage over the bamboozlement.

"So has anyone actually managed to get their free donuts or is everyone up in the (fetal) position and crying like me," asked one forlorn Twitter user.

"I'm annoyed at both of you," wrote another, "but mostly at myself for believing."

One man "marked himself 'safe' during the UberEats Donut Crisis," in a joking reference to the Facebook emergency practice.

In a statement, the San Francisco-based company said they were "overwhelmed" by "tens of thousands of orders in just a few minutes," which ultimately "caused a technical issue."

"We're working hard to get this sorted," the statement continued, "but doughnut worry, the activity will run all afternoon so there is still time to order."

It remains to be seen if any Londoners have yet to receive their dozen donuts.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.