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
Visuals linked to the recent explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district.
Fact
The video is at least one-year-old, and shows visuals from Kerala’s Kavassery.
At least nine people were killed and multiple others sustained injuries after an explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal’s Khadikul village earlier this week. Soon after, several social media users shared a clip of an explosion in an open field linking it to the recent blast in the East Midnapore district in the TMC ruled state. Newschecker found that the video is at least one-year-old, and is from Kerala.
Multiple Twitter users shared the clip with Hindi caption which translates to, “Look at West Bengal sitting on a gunpowder keg.This scene from East Medinipur (Midnapore) is horrifying.Mamata (West Bengal CM)has no control over the state.There is no idea of law and order.Jungle Raj remains.”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
On comparing the viral footage with videos of the recent explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal, shared by news outlets, we did not find any similarities.
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral clip led us to a Facebook post by @P4Palakkadan, dated March 17, 2022. Carrying a longer version of the viral video, the post stated, “…Kavassery Pooram Daytime Fireworks 2022…” (Translated from Malayalam by Google)
The longer version of the viral clip was also uploaded on YouTube channel E-Malayalam on April 1, 2022 with a title, “The birthplace of firecrackers Kavassery Pooram Day Fireworks 2022…” (translated from Malayalam by Google)
Notably, the audio heard in these videos was not the same as in the viral footage. Newschecker Malayam team confirmed that the audio in the longer version of the viral clip was in fact Malayalam, and that a person can be heard saying, “I told you that it is not safe to stand here.”
The video was also uploaded on other YouTube channels such as Youtube Peedika and ENGLISH WINDOW in March 2022 to show visuals from Kavassery Pooram.
Kavassery comes under Palakkad district of Kerala, and Pooram refers to annual temple festivals observed in the state.
Furthermore, we skimmed through various Google images/videos from Kerala’s Kavassery, and found that the viral video, sans audio, was uploaded by one Ramakrishnan A V in March 2022. Goggle identified the location of the video as Kavassery.
Additionally, we also found a tweet by West Bengal Police, dated May 18, 2023, carrying the viral footage. It stated, “This video is being circulated by some visual media channels & in social media as the blast in Khadikul, Egra. Actually it is the visual of Pooram festival in Kerala. #WBP appeals to all to refrain from circulation of fake news and warns strict action against the violators.#WBP4”
We couldn’t independently ascertain the whereabouts of the audio heard in the viral clip. However, the footage is at least one-year-old, and shows visuals from Kerala’s Kavassery.
Also Read: No, This Video Does Not Show Man Waving Pakistani Flag In Karnataka After Congress’ Win
Conclusion
At least one-year-old video from Kerala has been falsely linked to a recent explosion in an illegal firework factory in West Bengal.
Result: False
Sources
Facebook Post By @P4Palakkadan, Dated March 17, 2022
YouTube Video By E-Malayalam, Dated April 1, 2022
Google Videos
Tweet By West Bengal Police, Dated May 18, 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.
