Compilation Video of Building Collapses Is Not Related to Recent Taiwan Earthquakes

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Taiwan has been experiencing over 1000 aftershocks following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on April 3, which tragically claimed the lives of at least 17 people. On April 22 and 23, the region was rattled by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake and additional tremors, resulting in only minor damage and no casualties reported. Operations of major chipmaker TSMC remained unaffected.

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A video clip of just over one minute, compiled using various scenes, including the collapse of large-scale buildings, has been circulating online. It is purportedly related to the recent earthquakes in Taiwan on April 22 and 23.

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We decided to do a fact-check on this.

Fact Check

However, upon closer examination and fact-checking using reliable tools like InVID We-Verify, it has been determined that the footage in the compilation is not connected to the recent earthquakes in Taiwan.

There is no connection with Recent Earthquakes: While some footage of the viral clip depicts previous earthquake-related incidents, they are not connected to the earthquakes that occurred on April 22 and 23, 2024.

A few weeks ago, video footage showed shaking motorists on a highway connected to the April 3 earthquake.

Also, the video footage of a chandelier shaking due to an earthquake is unrelated to a recent earthquake. It was recorded in a restaurant in Taiwan in 2022 during an earthquake. The original footage is below.

Origin of Other Footage: The footage showing building collapses in the video compilation is not recent either. Instead, it originates from planned demolitions by Chinese authorities in 2020 and 2021. These demolitions occurred in various cities across China for reasons such as illegal construction, abandonment, or financial collapse of developers.

Ghost Cities in China: The collapsing buildings in the video were part of "ghost cities" developments in China. These are large-scale construction projects that were either never completed or occupied, often due to changes in housing demand or financial issues faced by developers. When these projects are left unfinished or constructed illegally, authorities may choose to demolish them.

Specific Incidents: The video includes footage of particular incidents, such as the collapse of buildings in southern China's Hainan province in Lingao County on October 30, 2020, and in Kunming, south China, on August 27, 2021. Local authorities demolished these buildings for various reasons, including illegal construction and abandonment.

Verification Sources: The footage was verified using InVID Verify and reverse image searches. Additionally, the authenticity of the footage was confirmed through reports from reputable sources, such as the University of Southern California's US-China Institute and news outlets like USA Today.

A news bulletin (Video) broadcast by a Russian media outlet about this Chinese building crisis can be found here. A feature article published by an Australian media outlet can be read here.

Taiwan, located at the convergence of tectonic plates, is frequently subjected to earthquakes, with the recent ones predominantly affecting rural areas. However, amidst reports of exaggerated impacts, it's important to clarify that while buildings swayed in various parts of the country, the damage remained minimal during the April 22,23 earthquakes, and there were no significant disruptions.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the online video compilation, purportedly showing buildings collapsing due to the recent earthquakes in Taiwan, is misleading. The footage depicts planned building demolitions in China from 2021 to 2020, along with other unrelated clips.