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
Visuals linked to the recent explosions in Lebanon.
Fact
Old, unrelated images and a video shared in false context.
As a series of device explosions continued to shake Lebanon on a second consecutive day, several social media users shared unverified images and videos linking it to the alleged Israeli attack on the Hezbollah members. Newschecker investigated three such visuals, and found them to be unrelated to the recent incidents.
Claim: Laptop Exploded Recently In Lebanon
Several social media users shared a photo purportedly showing a laptop damaged in the recent explosions in Lebanon.
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Fact
A TinEye search on the viral image yielded an article by Bored Panda, dated March 4, 2021, titled “Tech Support People Are Sharing The Worst Cases They’ve Seen While On The Job (50 New Pics).”
We skimmed through the article, and found the same image listed at “number 3” with the description stating, “Customer Describes A “Slight” Burning Smell.”
Further, a Reddit post from February, 2021 also featured the viral image showing a damaged laptop.
Hence, this image has been available online since at least February 2021, and is unrelated to the recent attack in Lebanon.
Claim: Recent Solar Panel Explosion In Lebanon
Several social media users shared a photograph purportedly showing fire engulfing solar panels in Lebanon amid a series of explosions.
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Fact
On careful analysis, we found that the image is actually a collage of two different photographs.
We then looked up the same on TinEye which yielded an X post by @FSRI_org, dated January 10, 2020. It carried one of the photos in the viral image, confirming that it does not show any recent explosions in Lebanon.
The same was also featured in an article by Sunlit Future from December, 2019.
While the second photo used in the viral collage remained untraceable, we could conclude that the image showing solar panels on fire dates back to at least 2019.
Claim: Device Detonates In Hezbollah Member’s Pocket In Lebanon
A seventeen-second-long-clip allegedly showing a “communication device” exploding inside the pocket of a Hezbollah member in Lebanon has surfaced on social media.
The post can be seen here.
Fact
A Yandex image search on the keyframes of the video led us to a report by Forbes, dated July 5, 2012. Carrying a screengrab from the same footage, the report stated, “Video footage allegedly showing an iPhone exploding in a 17-year old’s pocket has made its way onto the internet.” It identified the person seen in the video as one ‘Henri Helminen.’
“The tape was posted on Finnish news site Kauppalehti. “The phone was working perfectly” before the incident, Helminen told Kauppalehti. The precise model of iPhone is not identified but Helminen bought the handset about three months before it was consumed by fire,” the report further added.
It was also shared on YouTube by Sky News Arabia on July 6, 2012, titled “iPhone explodes in owner’s pocket.”
Hence, an over 10-year-old video has been falsely shared to show a device exploding inside a Hezbollah member’s pocket in Lebanon.
Also Read: Visuals Showing A Massive Crowd Marching For Manipur Is Actually AI-Generated
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that old and unrelated visuals have been falsely linked to the recent explosions in Lebanon.
Result: False
Sources
Article By Bored Panda, Dated March 4, 2021
Reddit Post, Dated February 4, 2021
X post by @FSRI_org, Dated January 10, 2020
Article By Sunlit Future, Dated December 20, 2019
Report By Forbes, Dated July 5, 2012
YouTube Video By Sky News Arabia, Dated July 6, 2012
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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.
