{"id":5652,"date":"2023-02-14T11:13:50","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T11:13:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/?p=5652"},"modified":"2023-02-14T11:13:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T11:13:53","slug":"compilation-of-fact-checks-about-misinformation-regarding-the-turkey-syria-earthquake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/compilation-of-fact-checks-about-misinformation-regarding-the-turkey-syria-earthquake\/","title":{"rendered":"Tremors of Misinformation Shake Social Media After Turkey Earthquake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Social media has made it easier than ever to share information and updates during natural disasters. However, this same convenience has also given rise to a new problem: the spread of misinformation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the aftermath of an earthquake or flood or any other natural calamity, it is common for people to share videos and images of the destruction on social media. The recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria is also not an exception to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 36,000 people have been killed till now and tens of thousands injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on 6 February, reports<\/a> CNN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some videos shared in relation to the earthquake are actually outdated and unrelated. It is important to be aware of the false and misleading information that is being shared online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we present a compilation of fact-checks<\/a> done on these old and unrelated videos, in order to help distinguish between the real and the fake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But first, let\u2019s understand\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Should You Not Share Unverified Videos\/Images?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Misinformation is a major threat to communication during and post-disaster phases. It hampers the process of effectively communicating with people during times of exceptional stress or emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing unverified images and videos after natural disasters can lead to the spread of misinformation, confusion, and misunderstanding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can have serious consequences as it can influence people’s decisions and actions leading to poor decision-making. People may also be misled into taking unnecessary risks by believing false claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also can cause misallocation of the resources, resulting in wasted time, money, and energy which can make it harder to coordinate relief efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Blast at Nuclear Plant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most alarming claim circulated online was an alleged explosion at a Turkish nuclear power plant due to the recent earthquake. The claim was made with a video depicting a deafening explosion in a building near a harbor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, the viral video footage is from Lebanon where a massive blast devastated the ammonium nitrate storage facility in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The under-construction Akkuyu Nuclear Plant in Turkey was rumored to have been damaged during the earthquake, but the construction company and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed with Turkish authorities that the Akkuyu Nuclear Plant was not affected by the earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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