An AFP Fact Check report has debunked the widespread circulation of old images falsely attributed to the recent earthquake in Bangladesh. The investigation revealed that images purporting to show the aftermath of the Bangladesh tremor were actually taken from previous earthquakes in Haiti (2010), Nepal (2015), and Myanmar (2016). This misinformation, shared across multiple social media platforms, aimed to portray the impact of the recent earthquake by using unrelated imagery.

The AFP Fact check analyzed several images that were being widely shared online in the wake of the earthquake. One specific image used in numerous posts depicts a collapsed building. Investigators found this photograph was taken following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake. Another image analyzed by AFP, purportedly showing earthquake damage across Bangladesh, was traced back to the deadly 2015 Nepal earthquake. Yet more pictures showed damage from the 2016 Myanmar earthquakes.

False context was given to these images in posts created on platforms such as Facebook to create panic, highlight the impact of the “earthquake,” and solicit donations. According to AFP, the misleading posts contained captions such as, “Terrible scene of the earthquake in Bangladesh” and “Pray for Bangladesh”. The fact check provides direct evidence that these claims were false.

AFP’s fact-checkers utilized reverse image search tools, such as Google and TinEye, to identify the true origins of the images. They then juxtaposed their findings with verified reports and images from the Bangladesh earthquake, demonstrating clear discrepancies between the misrepresented images and the actual on-the-ground situation. The fact check provides links to the original articles and verified images.

This case of misinformation underscores the ease with which false narratives can spread online, particularly during times of crisis and heightened emotional response. The rapid dissemination of unverified information can amplify public anxiety and distort the understanding of actual events, hindering relief efforts and potentially causing harm to the affected communities.

For the Nepali diaspora, this fact check serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of verifying information, particularly when it comes to visual content originating from South Asia, where Nepalis have familial and cultural ties. The use of images from the 2015 Nepal earthquake to portray a more recent event in Bangladesh highlights the need for critical assessment of the information we consume, no matter the source.