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
A man drowned in a river while shooting a social media reel.
Fact
Video is clipped. Its longer version clearly shows that the man did not drown.
A video showing a man falling into a river is being widely circulated on social media platforms, with multiple users claiming that the youth seen in the clip drowned while trying to make “reels.” Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the footage alleging that the man drowned while shooting videos for social media. The 10-second-long-footage has also found its way to YouTube.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
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Several such cases of users meeting fatal accidents, or suffering critical injuries while making content for social media have been reported in the recent past. Earlier this month, a 27-year-old social media influencer, Aanvi Kamdar died after falling into a gorge while shooting an Instagram reel in Mangaon in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. In another recent incident, a youth died while doing motorbike stunts for social media reel in Hayat Nagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Fact Check/Verification
On skimming through the comment sections of social media posts carrying the viral footage, we found multiple users identifying the person seen in the clip as one “Akash Sagar.”
Taking a clue, we looked up “Akash Sagar,” and “video” on Google which led us to a YouTube channel by the same name. The channel listed multiple videos featuring the person seen in the viral clip, confirming that he is YouTuber Akash Sagar.
A longer version of the viral clip was shared on the channel on September 26, 2023 with the caption “Akash sagar last video? – Akash sagar vlogs.” In the footage, Sagar slips, and then swims toward another rock where a person pulls him up.
Also Read: Viral Video Shows Train Accident In Chile, Not Crash Involving Vande Bharat Express
The same features in a detailed YouTube vlog by Sagar titled “Jhelum River mein fisal gaya.” Around 8 minutes into the video, he also speaks to the camera about the incident.
Also Read: ‘Mr Bean’ Bedridden? Manipulated Photo Of Rowan Atkinson Goes Viral
Conclusion
Hence, viral social media posts claiming that a man died by drowning while shooting a reel are false.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By @akashsagarvlogs, Dated September 25, 2024
YouTube Video By @akashsagarvlogs, Dated September 26, 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.
