Misleading Video Shared as Afghan Student’s School Escape
The Claim
A boy attempted to escape school in Afghanistan and was shot at by the school counselor.
Emerging story
A video is being shared on social media which depicts a boy on top of a high wall in what seems to be an attempt to escape and another man shooting a gun at him. Users claim that the boy is trying to escape from school and that the student counselor on the ground saw him and shot at him to force the boy to return to school.
Misbar’s Analysis
MENA: An investigation into the claim revealed that it is misleading. The video was taken during the chaos at Afghanistan’s airport when citizens were attempting to flee. The young boy was trying to enter the airport over the wall, and a Taliban fighter shot at him so that he would not gain entry into Kabul airport. Many other news publishers such as Vice and ABC shared reports of Afghans attempting to enter the airport by climbing over the walls.
This claim follows the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, leading to panic and chaos as crowds flocked to flee the country, fearing the Taliban's oppressive rule. Based on the findings, the claim is classified as misleading and not a boy attempting to escape from school based on the findings.
