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
Current situation at Port Qasim in Karachi under the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy.
Fact
At least 4-month-old video falsely linked to Cyclone Biparjoy.
A video of massive waves and howling gales allegedly at Port Qasim in Karachi has gone viral on social media platforms ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy’s landfall. Multiple social media users shared the footage asserting it to be the current situation at the Pakistani port under the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy. Newschecker found the assertion to be untrue. The video dates back to at least February, and has been falsely linked to the cyclone.
The video is being shared on Twitter with users allegeding that it shows recent visuals from Port Qasim.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Man Reporting On ‘Gujarat Cyclone’ Hit By Waves? No, Old Video From Kerala Shared With False Claim
Fact Check/Verification
A Yandex reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to a 12-second-long-clip uploaded on website VK one month ago with the title “stormy waters”
After a frame-by-frame comparison, we found the clip of VK to be a shorter and laterally inverted version of the viral footage
Also Read: Old CGI Video Shared As Cyclone Biparjoy Approaching Gujarat Coast Caught On Cam
We found that such laterally inverted snippets of the viral footage were shared on Instagram by @schlumberger_crew on April 4, 2023, and on Reddit on April 21, 2023.
Furthermore, we found a TikTok video by @Caz_Thomson, dated February 17, 2023, carrying the laterally inverted version of the viral footage.
Also Read: Old, Unrelated Videos Shared To Show Impact Of Cyclone Biparjoy
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that the viral video claiming to show the “current situation” at Port Qasim in Karachi is at least 4-month-old, and has been falsely linked to Cyclone Biparjoy. However, we were not independently able to ascertain other details about the video.
Result: False
Sources
Instagram Post By @schlumberger_crew, Dated April 4, 2023
Reddit Post, Dated April 21, 2023
TikTok Video By @Caz_Thomson, Dated February 17, 2023
If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback, or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form.
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.
