These Scenes Are Outdated and Do Not Depict the Japan Earthquake

2nd January 2024

These Scenes Are Outdated and Do Not Depict the Japan Earthquake

These scenes have been posted since 2011 (X)

The Claim

People are running and screaming on the roads running for their lives as huge 7.6 magnitude earthquake Just hit japan and tsunami warnings have been issued.

News posted on

Muhammad Zubair (Parody)

Emerging story

A viral video currently circulating on social media claims to depict a powerful earthquake striking Japan in early January. The video shows panicked people running through the streets amidst chaotic scenes.

Breaking:
People are running and screaming on the roads running for their lives as huge 7.6 magnitude #earthquake
Just hit #japan and #tsunami warnings have been issued.#earthquake #NewYear2024

pic.twitter.com/heslnLxW3O
— Sharjeel Butt (@SharjeelButt03) January 1, 2024

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading.

Misbar's team found that the video dates back to 2011.

The Japan Earthquake in March 2011

Upon investigation, it has been revealed that the footage featured in the video was published on news websites since 2011, depicting the earthquake that struck Japan on March 11, 2011.

In March 2011, the northeastern regions of Japan experienced tsunamis along the Pacific coastline, triggered by a devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale. This catastrophic event led to the loss of approximately 20,000 lives, the destruction of thousands of homes, and the devastating impact on several coastal areas, notably the Tohoku region in the northeast of Honshu Island. It submerged parts of the Japanese city of Sendai and caused severe damage to the infrastructure across East Tohoku.

Furthermore, during that period, the tsunami affected the Fukushima nuclear reactor, resulting in damage to its backup generators and the release of nuclear radiation.

2024 Sea of Japan Earthquake

The claim surfaced following reports of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake striking the central-western coast of Japan on Monday morning, January 1. This seismic activity caused waves approximately one meter high along certain areas of the Sea of Japan coast.

Japanese authorities indicated that wave heights could reach up to five meters. Furthermore, the earthquake resulted in power outages for over 36,000 homes in the Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. As a result, relevant authorities issued evacuation alerts for residents.