Media Outlets Falsely Share Old Video as Recent Clip of Fire at Lahore Airport
The video dates back to May 2024 and is not recent as claimed by media outlets and social media users.
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Who shared it?: Along with several social media users, media outlets like ABP Live, Financial Express, CNBC Awaaz, Lokmat Times, NewsX, and Kalinga TV shared reports with a similar claim.
(Swipe right to view all claims.)
An archive of the report can be found here.
An archive of the report can be found here.
An archive of the report can be found here.
An archive of the report can be found here.
An archive of the report can be found here.
An archive of the report can be found here.
Is the claim true?: No. Team WebQoof found that the video could be traced back to at least May 2024 and reportedly shows fire breaking out at the Lahore airport.
What led us to the truth?: A Google Lens search on the keyframes of the viral video directed us to the same visuals published on an unverified Facebook page called 'Rasala.pk'.
It was posted on 9 May 2024.
The post's caption said, "A huge fire breaks out at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, affecting and delaying Hajj flights as well as International flights. According to initial reports, the fire has partially damaged the immigration system at the airport. Sources said that the process of immigration has stopped.
News reports: We found the same visuals uploaded on the official YouTube channel of Arab News PK. It was titled, "No casualties, Pakistani aviation authority says after fire at immigration counter at Lahore airport."
The video was posted on 9 May 2024.
An Express Tribune report said that a fire had broken out at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, which disrupted flight operations.
The fire severely affected the immigration system.
This report by Arab News PK said that the fire started due to a short-circuit and was brought under control.
Pakistani authorities deny claims: Gulf News, in its report, said that the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has denied the reports of fire breaking at the Lahore Airport. In a statement, they termed the reports as baseless, false and misleading.
Conclusion: Evidently, an old video is being shared as a recent incident of fire breaking out at Lahore Airport.
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