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.
Claim
Visuals showing the impact of the earthquake in Tibet.
Fact
Old, unrelated visuals shared out of context.
At least 126 people were killed and over 180 others injured after an earthquake struck Tibet’s Xigaze city on Tuesday. As its news broke, social media platforms began to flood with unverified visuals of building collapse, dilapidated structures, and rescue operations among others linking it to the recent disaster in Tibet. Newschecker investigated three such viral visuals and found them unrelated to the Tibet earthquake.
Claim 1
A video purportedly showing a statue installed at a roundabout collapsing under the impact of the recent earthquake in Tibet as vehicular movement stops abruptly, is going viral on social media platforms.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
We looked up the keyframes of the viral clip on Google lens which led us to a report by The Guardian, dated April 30, 2015. Carrying the viral clip, it stated, “CCTV footage shows the moment the Nepal earthquake hits the Tripureshowr district of south-west Kathmandu on Saturday. The power of the quake brings down a brick structure onto a busy roundabout…”
Also Read: Canadians Celebrating Justin Trudeau’s Resignation? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Videos
A longer version of the same clip was also shared on YouTube by Euronews in April 2015. “CCTV footage released on April 30 shows the impact of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake on a busy roundabout in the south of Kathmandu. The footage shows a roundabout at Tripureshwor Chowk.The real force of the shock can be seen when a monument on the roundabout collapses as the quake hits,” its description stated.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on April 25 ,2015, reportedly, killing over 8,000 people, and injuring thousands others.
Claim 2
Several social media users shared a video showing land shaking causing buildings to crumble to the ground, alleging that it shows the effect of the recent earthquake in Tibet.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
We skimmed through the comment section of social media posts carrying the clip, and found multiple users pointing out that the video was an earthquake in Japan.
Taking a clue, we looked up the keyframe of the viral clip along with keywords “Earthquake,” “house” and “collapse” in Japanese on Google which yielded a report by NTV NEWS, dated February 3, 2024. Featuring the same video, it stated, “A month has passed since the Noto Peninsula earthquake, and people are still living in evacuation shelters… The newly released footage was taken from the dashcam of a car driving through Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, on the day of the earthquake.”
A comparison between the keyframe of the viral clip, and the YouTube video on Japan’s Noto Peninsula earthquake can be seen below.
Further investigation led us to a report by Japan-based Chunichi Shimbun, dated February 2, 2024, carrying multiple clips showing the impact of the earthquake in Noto Peninsula, including the viral video that has been linked to the recent disaster in Tibet.
Another news outlet ANNnewsCH also aired the video in a report on the Noto Peninsula earthquake that rocked Japan’s Noto Peninsula on January 1, 2024.
Also Read: AI-Generated Photo of Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan in Mecca Goes Viral
Carrying a screengrab from the viral clip, a report by The Japan Times stated, “Images of houses collapsing, violent shaking and tsunami rushing through the streets were captured on a dashcam in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, amid the massive earthquake on Jan. 1. Chojukai, a social welfare corporation that operates nursing homes in Suzu, released the footage with the hope that it will help people prepare for future disasters.”
Claim 3
A photograph of a dilapidated building has surfaced online, with users sharing it to show the aftermath of the Tibet earthquake.
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A TineEye search on the image led us to a report by Deezan, dated March 2, 2023, detailing views of the Turkish architects following the February 2023 earthquake in Turkiye. The report featured the viral image claiming to show a dilapidated building in Tibet following the recent earthquake. It was credited to Çağlar Oskay via Unsplash.
We found that the image was published on Unsplash on February 24, 2023. “Iskenderun, Hatay Turkey – February.06,2023: In Iskenderun, one of the places most affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş, many buildings were destroyed and people died,” its description stated.
We were also able to spot the location seen in the image in Hatay on Google Maps.
Also Read: AI-Generated Video Of Elon Musk Getting A Haircut From A Robot Goes Viral
Conclusion
Hence, old and unrelated visuals have been shared to show the impact of the recent earthquake in Tibet.
Result: False
Sources
Report By The Guardian, Dated April 30, 2015
YouTube Video By Euronews, Dated April 30, 2015
YouTube Video By NTV NEWS, Dated February 3, 2024
Report By Chunichi Shimbun, Dated February 2, 2024
Report By The Japan Times, Dated February 7, 2024
Unsplash Website
Google Maps
If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates.
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.
