Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Video of overcrowded boat capsizing in Goa.
Fact
Incident happened in Lake Kivu in Congo.
A 53-second-long video showing a boat capsizing mid-journey is going viral on social media platforms, with users claiming it to show an incident from Goa and calling out “greedy boat owners,” as the reason behind the tragedy. Newschecker, however, found the footage to be from Congo, and not Goa.
Multiple X, Facebook users claimed, “Goa accident today 23 bodies recovered 40 people rescued and 64 missing. Greed of the boat owner in overloading, over confidence of travellers too.”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the claim multiple times on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.
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Fact Check/Verification
We looked up the keyframes of the viral footage on Google lens, which led us to a report by Agora Grands-Lacs, dated October 3, 2024. Carrying an image of a capsized boat, it stated, “Early in the morning of Thursday, October 3, 2024, the boat “Merci Dieu”, also known as MERDI, capsized on Lake Kivu, near Goma, in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Adding, “This tragic incident occurred a few metres from the Kituku port as the boat was returning from Minova, in the South Kivu province, with an unknown number of passengers on board.”
A comparison between the image featured in the report, and keyframes of the viral footage can be seen below.
We also found a YouTube video by AP, dated October 4, 2024, carrying identical visuals of a boat overturning mid-water. “Footage filmed by a witness shows the moment an overcrowded boat capsized on Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 78 people,” it stated.
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Al Jazeera English also featured the video to show the “moment a boat carrying scores of passengers capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Congo.”
Multiple other outlets such as this, this, and this reported on the incident.
Goa Police Calls Out ‘False’ Claim
The Goa Police has, too, clarified that the video is in fact from Congo, and urged users to refrain from sharing unverified news. In an X post, dated October 5, 2024, they said, “A video circulating on social media claims a boat capsized near Goa’s shores. This is false. The incident occurred in Goma, Congo, Africa. Please refrain from sharing unverified news.”
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Conclusion
Hence, a video from Congo has been falsely shared to show an overcrowded boat capsizing in Goa.
Result: False
Sources
Report By Agora Grands-Lacs, Dated October 3, 2024
YouTube Video By AP, Dated October 4, 2024
X Post By Goa Police, Dated October 5, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
