Fact Check: Viral Video Of Flood Misattributed To Gujarat; Actually From Bangladesh

New Delhi (Vishvas News). Gujarat is grappling with heavy rains and flooding, causing widespread disruptions across many cities in the state.  Amidst this,  a video showing people rescuing flood victims is going viral on social media, with claims that it depicts the flood in Gujarat.

Vishvas News’ investigation revealed that the viral video is not from  India, but from Bangladesh, featuring students of Madrasa, rescuing flood victims in their area. 

What is going viral?

Facebook user Mohammad Shamim Akhtar shared the video with the caption, “Gujarat flood!! Proud of the Muslims of India, who, even in such dire circumstances , risked their life to help others,  putting humanity above caste and religion. Humanity is the greatest religion!!”

Investigation

To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, we conducted a Google reverse image search using the keyframes of the video. We found the viral video on the account of a Bangladeshi Facebook user named MH Fahad Mondol. The video was uploaded on August 25, 2024. According to the information given in the caption in Bengali language, the viral video is from Bangladesh and madrasa students were helping people trapped in the flood.

Based on the information received, we conducted a Google search with relevant keywords and found the viral video on the official YouTube channel of Ahle Hadith, an Islamic organisation in Bangladesh, uploaded on August 25, 2024. According to the available information, madrasa students came forward to help the flood victims by wading through the waterlogged areas  to assist those in need.

During the investigation, we found this video on several other YouTube channels with the same information. We also came across a similar video on a YouTube channel called ‘Learn It Now’, where people can be seen going into the waterlogged areas to assist  the victims.

For further information, we contacted Rajendra Singh, Deputy Editor-Gujarat Dainik Jagran, who confirmed that while  Gujarat is indeed facing challenges due to heavy rains, the video is not from here.

We also reached out to Mohammad Raft, editor of Bangladeshi Probash Times, . who confirmed that the  video is from Bangladesh,  showing people helping flood victims.

Finally, we scanned the profile of the user who shared the video with misleading claim and found that the user shares posts related to a specific ideology. The user has described himself as a resident of Haryana on his profile.