Outdated Doctored Video Alleged to Feature Bombed Eiffel Tower
The Claim
A video shows jets soaring above Paris and bombarding the city.
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Emerging story
Amidst the recent unrest in France, social media users circulated a video purporting to show jets soaring above Paris and bombarding the city.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral video and found the claim to be misleading.
A thorough reverse image search revealed the video making the rounds to be doctored and outdated.
Video of the Eiffel Tower Bombing is a CGI
The video in question was actually created by the Ukrainian government using computer-generated imagery (CGI).
The Ukrainian government published the video on March 12, 2022, as part of Ukraine's efforts to demonstrate the need for the closure of Ukraine's airspace.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine’s official Twitter account published the video under the caption, “NATO close the sky over Ukraine!”
The Daily Star also uploaded the video on March 13, 2022, in an article entitled, “Ukraine releases chilling fake video of Eiffel Tower being ‘blown up’ in Russia warning.”
France Riots Cost More Than $1 Billion
Following the shooting of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk during a traffic stop in a Paris suburb, a wave of unrest erupted, leading to a week of rioting in France. This outbreak occurred just weeks after significant protests and strikes over pension reforms had finally subsided. The repercussions of the riots have posed a challenge for businesses in the country.
According to MEDEF, a French business association, the damage caused by the riots has already surpassed €1 billion ($1.1 billion). French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire informed CNN affiliate BFMTV that protesters have targeted nearly 400 bank branches and 500 corner shops.
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