Photo From Kuwait Shared as Iranian Petrochemical Plant Fire
The Claim
A photo depicts the burning of a petrochemical plant in Mashour, Ahwazi, Iran.
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Emerging story
A photo purportedly showing the destruction of an Iranian petrochemical plant in the city of Ma'shour in the Ahwazi province was recently shared on social media accounts across the MENA region, including the account of the Israeli journalist Eddy Cohen.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar looked into the circulating claim and discovered it to be misleading, as the image is outdated and has been used in articles since May 2022. The image depicts a fire that broke out in a market in Kuwait's Al-Rai district, not in an Iranian petrochemical factory. Furthermore, a search of credible news sources revealed no recent reports of a petrochemical fire in Iran.
Fire Erupts in the Tent Market in Kuwait
On May 30, 2022, a large fire broke out at a tent market in the Al Rai area, southwest of Kuwait City, engulfing approximately 4,000 square meters. Five firefighting units were used to contain the fire and keep it from spreading, according to the Kuwait Fire Force (KFF). They also stated that the damage primarily affected tent building materials, plastics, and camping equipment. Approximately 14 people suffered minor burns and suffocation, with the majority of the injured receiving treatment.
Iran Protests 2022
The claim sparked following nationwide protests in Iran, which began in early May over economic issues such as the rising prices of basic food items in the face of tough sanctions imposed by the United States in response to Iran's nuclear program. Protests erupted in several cities after a large section of a 10-story building, which was still under construction, collapsed in the southwestern city of Abadan in Khuzestan province. The collapsed building caused one of Iran's deadliest disasters in recent years, killing 31 people. Authorities investigating the disaster have detained several city employees, as well as the current and former mayors, after accusations that safety warnings were ignored.
The Misbar team confirms there was no recent petrochemical fire in Iran and that the image in the claim is of a Kuwaiti fire.
Translated by Dina Faisal
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