Wed Sep 25 04:49:18 UTC 2024: ## Misinformation Spreads: Thai TikTok Video Falsely Claims to Show Typhoon Yagi Damage
A 21-second TikTok video shared on September 16th, 2024, claiming to depict the impact of Typhoon Yagi in Thailand, has been identified as misinformation. The video, viewed over 350,000 times, shows a devastating mudslide engulfing buildings and vehicles. However, this footage actually originates from a July 2021 landslide in the Japanese town of Atami, Shizuoka prefecture.
The video, captioned with hashtags like “2024Flood” and “ChiangRaiFlood,” aims to link the devastation to the flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi in northern Thailand. This claim is false, as the footage predates the typhoon by over three years.
AFP, a global news agency, has conducted a thorough investigation and identified the original source of the video. It was originally uploaded by the Japanese newspaper Sankei News on YouTube in July 2021 and credited to the news agency EyePress.
Further investigation revealed that the video depicts the devastating Atami landslide that occurred in July 2021 after days of heavy rainfall. The landslide claimed 27 lives and caused significant damage.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of misinformation, particularly in the context of natural disasters. While the video was likely shared with good intentions, the spread of false information can be harmful and impede relief efforts. It is crucial to verify information from reputable sources before sharing it online.
First Piper 