A video showing a boat capsizing with a large number of passengers has been circulating online, with claims that it originated in Goa, India. However, this footage is actually from the Democratic Republic of Congo. On Thursday, a tragic incident occurred on Lake Kivu, where a boat carrying 278 passengers overturned, resulting in at least 78 confirmed drownings.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) @pb3060 wrote, “Goa accident, 23 bodies recovered 40 people rescued and 64 missing . Greed of the boat owner in overloading, over confidence of travellers too. Very sad, tragic”. Later, he deleted the post.
Several other users and influencers have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @Sangha2Bs, @Sonaj_Sin
The truth about the video of Boat carrying passengers, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the video and found that the viral video was not from India. But an incident from the Democratic Republic Of Congo.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a reverse image search of some key frames from the viral video on Google Lens. This led us to media reports containing the same visuals. According to media reports(1, 2), at least 78 people drowned when a boat carrying 278 passengers capsized in Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday(3 October 2024).
According to Reuters, the governor of neighbouring North Kivu province said 58 people had survived the accident and that 28 people were confirmed dead so far. The boat capsized around 700 metres from port and the causes of the accident are being investigated.
However, we also found reports (1, 2) that on September 26, a fishing boat capsized in the Chapora River with four persons on board. Fortunately, all four have been successfully rescued. The boat was returning after fishing in the sea. When it reached a distance of around 1.5 km from the Chapora jetty, it capsized. All 4 on board who had jumped into the water while the boat was about to capsize were rescued by trawler workers from a nearby fishing boat.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the video is not related to India. But an incident from the Democratic Republic Of Congo.
Intent
Social media users and influencers are circulating videos from DR Congo with misleading claims to set their narrative in India to create panic among common people.
Conclusion
Claim– The video depicting a tragic boat accident is related to India’s Goa.
Fact– The video is not from India. But an incident from DR Congo where a boat carrying passengers capsized in Lake Kivu.
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