A 17-second-long video showing a massive settlement gutted by flames, as people move amidst the debris in frantic confusion, has gone viral on social media platforms with users claiming it to show a Hindu settlement in Bangladesh that was allegedly set on fire. The social media posts come amidst reports of atrocities on minorities since Sheikh Hasina fled the country in August last year.
Multiple social media users shared the video with a Hindi text overlay claiming, ”Bangladesh. Hindu settlement was set on fire.” Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue and the video to be from Ghana.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: ‘No’ Hindu Festivals, Only Iftar Celebrated At Kolkata’s Jadavpur University? Here’s The Truth
Fact Check/Verification
A Google Lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to an Instagram post by ‘OKAY 101.7 FM,’ a Ghana-based radio station, dated January 2, 2025. Carrying the same clip, it stated, “Captured — Kantamanto, Accra burns to ashes.” Accra is the capital city of Ghana.
Using this information, we looked up keywords “Kantamanto,” “fire” and “Accra” on YouTube which yielded a report by GHANA NEWS TV, dated January 2, 2025. Carrying a longer version of the viral clip, it stated, “A fire outbreak at Kantamanto market in Accra caused significant damage early Thursday morning. Over 100 shops were razed down in the blaze, which began around 1:00 am.”
We found a Facebook post by another Ghana-based outlet GHOne TV, dated January 2, 2025, featuring the viral video, and corroborating that it shows, “state of Kantamanto Market following the devastating fire.”
Multiple outlets such as this, this and this reported that a massive fire gutted multiple shops at the Kantamanto Market in Ghana’s Accra in January this year.
We couldn’t find any recent reports about any such fire in Hindu settlements in Bangladesh.
Conclusion
Hence, the viral posts claiming that a Hindu settlement in Bangladesh was set on fire were found to be false.
Sources
Instagram Post By @okay101.7fm, Dated January 2, 2025
YouTube Video By GHANA NEWS TV, Dated January 2, 2025
Facebook Post By GHOne TV, Dated January 2, 2025
