Misleading Photos Shared as Recent Afghan Earthquake
The Claim
Several images shared as evidence of the recent Afghan earthquake.
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Social media accounts from the MENA region have circulated earthquake-related images. Users shared two images of the earthquake's aftermath and one of a distressed boy covered in sand and destroyed buildings, appealing for help for Afghanistan.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating photos and found them outdated and unrelated to the recent Afghanistan earthquake.
Photo of the 2017 Earthquake Between Iran and Iraq
The first photo, which depicts destroyed buildings and rubble, is from an earthquake that struck the border area between Iran and Iraq in November 2017, as seen in the screenshot below.
On November 12, 2017, Iranian news agencies reported that the death toll from the earthquake near the Iranian border with Iraq had risen to over 400, with over 7,000 people injured.
Sichuan Earthquake in 2008
The second photo, of destroyed buildings in a mountainous area, depicts the devastation caused by the 2008 earthquake that struck China's Sichuan Province.
In May 2008, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Sichuan Province in southwest China, killing and injuring thousands and trapping hundreds under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Photo of Distressed Child Is From 2015
A reverse image search revealed that the distressed boy covered in sand standing in front of destroyed buildings has been on the internet since 2015, as shown below.
While the original source of the image was not found, it appears that the image is related to Iraq based on the original posting websites as taken from Tineye. It was impossible to confirm the image's context because the website domains are no longer active. The dates, however, prove that it is unrelated to the recent Afghan earthquake.
Over 1000 People Dead in Afghanistan Earthquake
The claim sparked following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan, 44 kilometers from the city of Khost; according to reports, the tremors were also felt in Pakistan and India.
So far, 1000 people have died as a result of the disaster, with the death toll expected to rise as the rubble is cleared and the search continues. The Taliban have requested assistance from the United Nations and an international committee, and many countries have responded quickly.
Based on the findings, the Misbar team confirms that the three images are unrelated to the recent earthquake that struck Afghanistan.
Additional Reporting by Misbar's Arabic Team
