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 captures moments before the recent Saurya Airlines plane crash in Nepal.
Fact
Over one-year-old video shared in false context.
At least 18 people were killed after a Saurya Airlines plane veered off the runway and crashed shortly after take off at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal’s Kathmandu. Soon after the news broke, a video, showing an aircraft titling mid-air before it comes down crashing, went viral on social media platforms. Those sharing the footage claim that it shows the recent plane crash in Nepal. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
Multiple X users shared the seven-second-long-video linking it to the recent Saurya Airlines plane crash in Nepal.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
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Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the key frames of the viral video led us to an India Today report, dated January 15, 2023. Carrying a screengrab from the viral footage, it stated, “Visuals of the Nepal plane losing control mid-air moments before crashing near the Pokhara airport on Sunday have emerged. A video filmed from a building’s terrace in the neighbourhood shows the passenger plane, ATR-72, carrying 72 people losing direction just before crashing.” It also featured an X post by @aerowanderer carrying the same footage.
Detailing the mishap, a Hindustan Times report stated, “the Kathmandu-bound flight crashed 20 minutes after it took off from the airport…A total of 68 passengers and four crew members were on board the aircraft. It crashed between the old airport and the Pokhara International Airport, Sudarshan Bartaula, spokesperson of Yeti Airlines, told the Kathmandu Post.”
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The Guardian also shared the viral footage on YouTube following the January, 2023 Yeti Airlines plane crash with the title “Video appears to show plane moments before Nepal crash.”
Multiple other outlets such as The Economic Times, News18 and The Telegraph shared the viral footage to show the moments before Yeti Airlines plane crashed near the Pokhara airport in January 2023.
Also Read: No, Viral Photo Does Not Show US Vice President Kamala Harris With Her Parents
Conclusion
Hence, an old video has been falsely shared to show the “moments before” the recent Yeti Airlines plane crash in Nepal’s Kathmandu.
Result: Partly False
Sources
Report By India Today, Dated January 15, 2023
Report By Hindustan Times, Dated January 15, 2023
YouTube Video By Guardian, Dated Januaray 15, 2023
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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.
