India is overwhelmed with a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by a more infectious strain of the coronavirus and the government’s apathetic response to the crisis. Photographs of people lying on the road outside hospitals, some waiting to be admitted and others dying, is being widely reported in the media.
Recently, Twitter user @andy51737215 posted a video with a Chinese caption that read, “India’s condition is quite bad.” The visuals show several people fainting and lying unconscious on the road. It amassed more than 3,000 views and 250 retweets at the time of writing.
[Disclaimer: Some readers may find the video disturbing in nature. Viewer discretion is advised.]
印度疫情这么严重🙏 pic.twitter.com/6Q4KjfY9jE
— 無語 (@andy51737215) April 24, 2021
Another user shared the same video while linking it to the current outbreak of COVID-19 in India.
COVID-19 is on a rampage in India… Hospitals are struggling to cope… There is no a huge shortage of oxygen….
This disease is vicious and cruel. #GetVaccinated and reduce the risk… Vaccines work… The Chinese vaccines are both safe & effective. pic.twitter.com/dQDqcna720
— Kudzai Mutisi (@KMutisi) April 24, 2021
Alt News has also received requests to fact-check the video on our official WhatsApp number (+91 7600011160).
Video of the aftermath of a gas leak in Vishakhapatnam last year
This is not the first time these visuals have gone viral. In June 2020, they were circulated as the after-effects of a hornet attack. Our fact-check had found that the video actually depicts the aftermath of a gas leak at the LG Chemical Plant in Visakhapatnam on May 7, 2020. An NDTV report covering the incident has been attached below. It states that the gas leak exposed more than 1,000 people.
Several news channels also released video reports of the incident, blurring some of the visually disturbing scenes. A digital outlet called CRUX had uploaded a video that features scenes from the clip currently viral.
First visual
Second visual
Third visual
Fourth visual
Fifth visual
The full-length CRUX video can be seen below.
Therefore, the clip in question is not linked to COVID-19 but shows the aftermath of a gas leak in Visakhapatnam last year.
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