Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
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 shows multiple trucks shaking owing to tremors following an alleged underground nuclear weapon test by Iran.
The archived version of the post can be seen here.
Fact
Newschecker ran a reverse image search, which led us to the same video as part of a CNN Espanol report, dated November 15, 2021, stating that an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 shook Iran.
We also came across this TRTWorldNow report on Youtube, dated November 14, 2021, stating that a powerful earthquake struck southern Iran, near the port of Bandar Abbas, killing one person. Similar reports can be seen here and here, confirming that the viral video shows an earthquake that happened in 2021 and not the aftershocks of a nuclear test.
Tremors Fuelled Nuke Rumours Last Month
Newschecker learnt that the video went viral following reports last month of an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale beneath the surface and close to an Iranian nuclear power plant. According to the reports, the timing of the quake and its proximity to a nuclear facility had sparked massive speculation that Iran may have tested a nuclear bomb, amid tensions between the country and Israel at an all-time high. “While the speculation has not been confirmed or denied by any Iranian official, a section of people have shared maps and graphs, explaining how it may be a nuclear event. According to one of the users, the tremors may be nuclear weapons at an underground bomb test site, or Iran may have faked a nuclear test using traditional weapons,” read a Hindustan Times report, dated October 8, 2024.
Also Read: Did PM Modi ‘Predict’ Trump’s Win In US Presidential Polls? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Video
Result: False
Source
CNN Espanol report, November 15, 2021
TRTWorldNow report, November 14, 2021
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
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.
