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 a multi-storey building collapse in Shimla.
Fact
Old video showing an incident from 2021 shared as recent.
As torrential rains wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh, triggering flash floods and landslides, a video of a multi-storey building on a hilltop crumbling like a house of cards is being widely shared on social media platforms. Those sharing the video allege that it shows a recent incident of multi-storey building collapse in Shimla. Newschecker found that the incident did take place in Shimla, however it is not recent and dates back to 2021.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Video Of Water Sweeping Away Vehicles Is From Himachal Pradesh, Not Punjab
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral footage led us to a tweet by @chandigarhrevi1, dated September 30, 2021. It carried the video of the same building collapse as seen in the viral footage to show an incident in Shimla.
We also found a report by Daily Mail, dated October 1, 2021, carrying snippets and screengrabs from the viral video. It stated, “The eight-storey structure was evacuated shortly before its collapse but several residents’ belongings are said to have been buried under the rubble.” Adding that the incident happened in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla.
Also Read: Crocodile In Ambala? No, Old Video From Madhya Pradesh Shared With False Claim
A video report by The Tribune, dated September 30, 2021, also featured the incident from a different angle. It stated, “A multi-storey building collapsed in Kachighati area of Shimla on Thursday while two other buildings were damaged. The building fell like a house of cards but fortunately the building, which was endangered, got vacated this afternoon and no loss of life was reported.”
Another report by NDTV, dated October 1 2021, stated that the building had collapsed due to a landslide triggered by the rains.
Also Read: Old Video From Jammu & Kashmir Shared As Landslide In Manali
Conclusion
Hence, the viral video of a building collapse in Shimla dates back to 2021, and does not show any recent incident.
Result: Partly False
Sources
Tweet By @chandigarhrevi1, Dated September 30, 2021
Report By Daily Mail, Dated October 1, 2021
YouTube Video By The Tribune, dated September 30, 2021
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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.
