Please stop: Cousin of Air India crash victim slams influencers for fake videos, AI images
New Delhi: As families across the country grapple with the devastating aftermath of the Air India Flight AI171 crash that killed 270 persons, including 241 persons on board, in Ahmedabad, a grieving relative has strongly criticised social media influencers and content creators for exploiting the tragedy with fake videos, doctored images, and misinformation.
Kuldeep Bhatt, cousin of crash victim Komi Vyas, who died along with her husband Prateek Joshi and their three young children, urged influencers to stop circulating misleading and AI-generated visuals for views and online engagement, as reported by India Today on Monday.
“Our family, along with hundreds of others, is undergoing immense trauma,” Bhatt said, lamenting how genuine family photographs have been manipulated to produce sensationalised content. He recalled a selfie that Komi and her family had shared shortly before takeoff, which has since gone viral as part of AI-generated videos falsely portraying events around the crash.
“When Komi and others were leaving the flight, they took a selfie and posted it in our family group. Now that photo has gone viral. People have been generating videos from that photo. One such video has gone viral throughout India. It's AI-generated. The photo has been made into a fake video,” he said.
The situation, Bhatt noted, has been made worse by the circulation of disturbing images involving the couple’s daughter Miraya. As the family awaits confirmation of her identity through DNA testing, unverified reports and visuals have been widely shared on social media platforms, claiming that the child’s body has been identified and cremated.
Further adding to the family’s distress are fake social media accounts being created in Komi’s name, along with the unauthorised use of personal photos. “Fake accounts have been made. I request all social media influencers that please stop. Why are you giving us so much mental trauma just to increase your likes and followers?” he said.
Bhatt urged content creators to exercise basic responsibility and verify information through official channels before posting online. “If you need any information, talk to the administration. You’re getting official updates from there. If you need some photos or videos, we will provide them for you. But for your entertainment, for your popularity, please don’t do this,” he said.
The Air India aircraft, which was en route to London, crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area shortly after takeoff on Thursday. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew members on board, along with several casualties on the ground. Among the victims were Komi, Prateek, their twin sons Pradyut and Nakul, and daughter Miraya.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
