VB Fact-Check: Viral video of railway track collapse near Mirjan in Kumta proven false
Kumta: Amid widespread fear due to recent landslides near Shirur in the taluk and Wayanad in Kerala, a viral video showing a railway track collapse near Mirjan in Kumta has sparked concern among the public. However, authorities have confirmed that the video is fake.
The video, which has been circulating on social media, purportedly shows the earth collapsing under a railway track and water flowing rapidly beneath it. The incident was claimed to have occurred on August 1, with warnings issued to the railway department about an oncoming train on the affected route.
Following the video's circulation, many citizens contacted railway stations for clarification. Railway officials have assured the public that no such incident has occurred. They also announced plans to take legal action against those spreading such misinformation.
Vartha Bharati's Investigation:
1. Multiple Claims: A fact-check by Vartha Bharati revealed that the same video has been shared on various social media platforms, including YouTube, with different locations cited. Some posts claimed the video was from Rajasthan, while others mentioned Madhya Pradesh.
2. Local Verification: Another claim suggested the video was from Mirjan near Kumta in Uttara Kannada district. However, local railway officials confirmed that the video did not originate from Kumta and there was no cause for alarm. They emphasized that the video was being used to incite panic and reiterated their intent to pursue legal action against the perpetrators.
3. Origin of the Video: Using Google Lens to search for the screengrabs of the viral video, Vartha Bharati found numerous posts and videos uploaded over the past month, each claiming different locations. Despite extensive searches, Vartha Bharati was unable to independently verify the video's origin but confirmed it was not from Mirjan in Kumta.
The spread of such fake news amid natural calamities can exacerbate public fear and hinder effective disaster response. Authorities are urging people to rely on verified information and report any suspicious content to prevent the spread of misinformation.
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Two injured as fire breaks out in south Mumbai hotel kitchen
Mumbai (PTI): Two persons suffered injuries after a fire broke out in the kitchen of a hotel in south Mumbai on Sunday afternoon, civic officials said.
The incident occurred around 4.30 pm at the Colaba Social Bar and Restaurant located on Boman Beharam Marg behind the Taj Hotel, they said.
A fire erupted in the kitchen area of the hotel located in the basement of a five-storey building, a civic official said.
The fire brigade sent a team to the spot and brought the blaze under control by 4.56 pm.
Two persons sustained injuries in the accident. One of them, Sunil Singh (28), suffered five per cent burns and took discharge against medical advice, while the other victim, Subrat Barai (35), has been admitted to Saint George Hospital with 15 per cent burns.
Barai is said to be in a stable condition, officials said, adding that the cause of the fire is being ascertained.
