This Video Was Shot in Indonesia in 2021, Not Taiwan
The Claim
Human stupidity at its finest. She took a selfie with the #Tsunami.
News posted on
Emerging story
In light of the recent earthquake in Taiwan, social media users humorously shared a video clip showing a woman purportedly taking a selfie with the tsunami.
Using the Taiwan tsunami hashtag, an X user shared the video along with the caption, “Human stupidity at its finest. She took a selfie with the #Tsunami.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral footage and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s investigative team found the footage to be outdated and unrelated to the recent Taiwan earthquake or Tsunami.
The Video Was Shot in Indonesia in 2021, Before the Taiwan Earthquake
Despite claims made by social media users, the footage is not recent. It was captured in December 2021 in Indonesia.
The original video features a tidal bore that took place in Indonesia in December 2021. An Indonesian news report published on December 9, 2021, featured a similar image of the woman seen in the viral clip.
According to a report by Detik News on the same date, the video was captured during a Bono wave, also known as a tidal bore, in Riau. The report cited an official who explained that tidal bores are a popular tourist attraction near the Kampar River in Riau, where the video was recorded.
Misbar found a similar video uploaded to YouTube on December 7, 2021. This video was recorded from the perspective of the man wearing a red t-shirt and carrying a selfie stick. At the 3:49 mark, the woman and the man near the tree can also be seen in the frame.
7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Hit Taiwan
Around 400 individuals remain stranded and await rescue in Taiwan following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck earlier this week, as reported by the island's fire department on Saturday.
Authorities have stated that those stranded are considered safe but are hindered by landslides and other obstructions on rural roads near the hard-hit east coast of the island.
The death toll from the quake has climbed to 13, according to Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA), after three bodies were discovered on a mountainous walking trail.
The earthquake, Taiwan's most powerful in 25 years, shook the entire island on Wednesday and was felt as far away as Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Authorities have reported that over a thousand individuals are receiving treatment for injuries, and six people remain missing.
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