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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
While it is true that a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Colombia on June 9, the viral posts include AI-generated images of a collapsed building and falsely claim that there were multiple deaths.
Claim: The earthquake that hit Colombia on June 9 caused multiple fatalities and the collapse of residential buildings.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: Posts bearing the false claim continue to circulate on Facebook and Instagram as of this posting. The most popular post by Facebook page “EndTimes News” has garnered 16,000 reactions, 4,900 shares, and 2,600 comments.
A Filipino Facebook user also posted the same caption and photos, with other Filipinos reacting to the supposed devastation in the post’s comment section.
The viral post is patterned after a news report, labeled as “breaking news,” that a catastrophic earthquake has devastated Central Colombia. Photos of a supposed multi-story apartment on the verge of collapse are attached to the post as proof of its claims.
“Emergency services have confirmed multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries, with many residents still feared trapped under the rubble,” the caption adds.
The facts: The photos of the collapsed apartment building have a 98% of being AI-generated, according to deepfake detection tool Sightengine.
Al Jazeera’s report of the Colombia earthquake on June 9 also states that no casualties or catastrophic damages were reported, contrary to the viral post’s claim.
“At this time, one person is being treated for an anxiety attack and is being transferred to the Central Hospital. So far, minor structural damage and some power outages have been reported, but service has already been restored,” Carlos Galan, mayor of Bogota, Colombia, was quoted in Al Jazeera’s report.
Colombia earthquake: The 6.3-magnitude earthquake happened on June 9, 8:08 am Colombia time about 17 kilometers northeast of Paratebueno, according to United States Geological Survey data as reported by the ABC News.
The same report explained that Central Colombia is also located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a zone of high seismic activity. A 6.2-magnitude quake also occurred in the region in 1999, claiming nearly 1,200 lives.
Previous fact-checks: Rappler has debunked other false claims about disasters supported by fake photos:
– Shay Du/Rappler.com
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. You may also report dubious claims to the #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
