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 shows Liam Payne falling to his death from an Argentina hotel.
Fact
2023 video from Mexico shared with false claim.
Liam Payne, former One Direction star and solo artist, died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina’s Buenos Aires on Thursday. Soon after the news of his death broke, several social platforms began to flood with tributes and condolence messages from his fans.
In this backdrop, a video showing a man falling off a building is going viral on social media platforms with users linking it to Liam Payne’s death. Newschecker, however, found the video to be old, and unrelated to the demise of the former One Direction singer.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the video claiming to show Liam Payne falling to his death.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Amidst Chennai Rains, Old Video Of Flooding At Sathyabama College Shared As Recent
Fact Check/Verification
A Google Lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to a report by Mexico-based Aristegui Noticias, dated September 13, 2023. Carrying a screengrab from the viral video, it stated, “A man fell from his bedroom window after a fire broke out in his apartment, located in the Centro neighbourhood of Mexico City (translated from Spanish via Google) “ It also featured the video being widely linked to Payne’s death.
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Another report by Excelsior from September, 2023, further corroborated that a man fell from the third floor of a building downtown Mexico City while escaping fire. “Firefighters from the central station put out the fire to prevent it from spreading to other departments. Members of the Rescue and Medical Emergency Squad (ERUM) treated the injured man and rushed him to the Balbuena General Hospital for prompt treatment (translated from Spanish via Google)”, it stated.
“Twenty minutes after the fire was reported on República de Cuba Street in the Historic Center of Mexico City , the Fire Department reported that the fire was controlled and extinguished (translated from Spanish via Google),” stated a Sdpnoticias report on the incident. Adding that the man was taken to the hospital.
Also Read: Islamic Chants During Navratri In West Bengal? No, 2023 Video From TMC Rally Shared With False Claim
Conclusion
Hence we find that an old video from Mexico has been falsely shared with the claim that it showed the former One Direction star, Liam Payne falling to his death in Argentina.
Result: False
Sources
Report By Aristegui Noticias, Dated September 13, 2023
Report By Excelsior, Dated September 13, 2023
Report By Sdpnoticias, Dated September 13, 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.
