This Footage of Lighting Before Morocco’s Recent Earthquake Is Edited
The Claim
A video shows lighting before Morocco’s recent earthquake.
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Following Morocco's recent earthquake, social media users and conspiracy trolls widely shared a video clip claiming to capture a lightning strike just before the earthquake hit the country.
Many users shared the footage along with captions, hinting at the use of weapons to cause the earthquake. One X user wrote, "This happened before the earthquake in Morocco. It looks like a spinning object, possibly some type of drone displaying lightning like flashes, then a huge laser like beam shines down and appears to strike the ground."
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral footage and found it to be fake.
Following a comprehensive reverse image search, Misbar's team found that the footage originated from a TikTok account that shares computer-generated imagery (CGI).
The Video Is CG And Unrelated to Morocco’s Earthquake
Contrary to the viral claim, the original footage was shot in Los Angeles, United States, in May 2020.
Jay Hideway, a TikToker, published the video on May 1, 2020, under the caption, “First pandemic and now aliens.”
Upon investigating the publisher's page, Misbar's team determined that the account is dedicated to computer-generated imagery, featuring content like zombies and Jesus talking about Donald Trump.
The TikToker also included a link to his account on OpenSea, which is the largest web3 marketplace for NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and crypto collectibles. OpenSea allows sellers to create digital assets and sell them online.
The publisher's OpenSea account also posted the video in question, along with the same caption.
Conspiracy Theories in Times of Natural Disasters
During times of complex situations, such as pandemics or natural disasters, there is a tendency for certain individuals or groups to seize the opportunity to generate and propagate conspiracy theories. These theories are often used to provide explanations for inexplicable events or to elicit reactions and engagement from other users.
For instance, in the wake of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, social media users have circulated images and videos claiming to feature a "HAARP-made cloud over Turkey just before the earthquake."
In a blog, Misbar’s team was able to debunk viral claims related to conspiracy theories and show their authenticity.
Morocco's Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 2,800
Morocco has been struck by a devastating earthquake, resulting in a heartbreaking death toll exceeding 2,862 people, according to the country's Interior Ministry's report on Monday. Also, more than 2,500 individuals have sustained injuries as a result of the earthquake.
This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8, an unusual occurrence for western Morocco, as stated by data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Approximately twenty minutes after the initial earthquake, a magnitude-4.9 aftershock rattled the region. The earthquake's epicenter was located near the town of Oukaïmedene in the Atlas Mountains, a rural area situated roughly 50 miles southwest of Marrakech, as confirmed by the USGS.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has declared a three-day period of mourning. He has also issued instructions for mosques throughout the nation to hold funeral prayers on Sunday as a gesture of respect for the victims.
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