Navigating the Path to CyberPeace: Insights and Strategies
Featured #factCheck Blogs
Executive Summary
An image is being widely shared on social media with the claim that Iranian missile forces targeted an LPG tanker heading towards India, causing a massive fire onboard. CyberPeace Research Wing ’s research found the claim to be misleading. The research revealed that the viral image is not related to any recent Iran-India development or any missile attack. The image actually shows a fire incident involving the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker MV Falcon near the coast of Aden, Yemen, in October 2025, and is being circulated with a false context.
Claim
A Facebook user shared the viral image on July 8, 2026, claiming: “Iranian missile force has struck an LPG tanker going to India.” The post link, archive link, and screenshot are provided below.
Fact Check
To verify the viral claim, we conducted a keyword-based search on Google. However, we did not find any credible media report confirming that an India-bound LPG tanker was targeted by Iranian missile forces. During the research, we extracted keyframes from the viral image and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. The search led us to a report published by NDTV on October 20, 2025, which contained the same visuals as the viral image. The report link and screenshot are provided below.
According to the NDTV report, a fire broke out onboard the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker MV Falcon following an explosion near the coast of Aden, Yemen. The incident involved 23 Indian crew members, who were rescued safely. The incident occurred on October 18, 2025, at around 07:00 UTC, when the vessel was sailing approximately 113 nautical miles southeast of Aden while heading towards Djibouti. Following the explosion, the vessel went adrift and around 15% of the ship was engulfed in flames. Further verification through keyword searches led us to an India Today report published on October 20, 2025, which also confirmed that the MV Falcon caught fire after an explosion off the coast of Aden, Yemen. The report stated that all 23 Indian crew members onboard were rescued. The report also mentioned that authorities had initiated an research into the incident and ruled out speculation that the explosion was caused by a Houthi attack. The report link and screenshot are provided below.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral claim is misleading. The image being shared as proof of an Iranian missile strike on an India-bound LPG tanker is actually from an unrelated incident that occurred in October 2025. The image shows the fire that broke out onboard the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker MV Falcon near Aden, Yemen, following an explosion. The old image is being circulated with a false narrative linking it to Iran and India.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media claiming to show a helicopter's thermal camera capturing hundreds of crocodiles hidden along the Amazon River at night. The footage appears to show a thermal imaging view of a river and its banks, where hundreds of crocodiles can allegedly be seen. Users claim the video was recorded using night-vision/thermal imaging technology over the Amazon River. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. The research revealed that the viral video is not authentic but has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a fabricated claim.
Claim
Social media users are sharing the video claiming that it shows a thermal camera recording of hundreds of crocodiles in and around the Amazon River at night. The post link and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DalJ41bIezV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DalJ41bIezV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted several keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. However, we found no credible news reports, authentic videos, or reliable sources confirming that the footage was recorded over the Amazon River.
We then conducted a detailed visual analysis of the video. The footage exclusively shows crocodile-like figures spread across the river and its banks, while no other aquatic animals or natural environmental activity—normally expected in a river ecosystem of that scale—are visible. These inconsistencies raised further doubts about the video's authenticity.
As part of our verification, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The analysis indicated a 95.7% probability that the video was AI-generated.
As part of our verification, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The analysis indicated a 95.7% probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video does not show a genuine thermal-camera recording of the Amazon River. The footage was created using artificial intelligence and is being circulated online with a false and misleading claim.
Executive Summary
An image is being widely shared on social media with the claim that Iranian missile forces targeted an LPG tanker heading towards India, causing a massive fire onboard. CyberPeace Research Wing ’s research found the claim to be misleading. The research revealed that the viral image is not related to any recent Iran-India development or any missile attack. The image actually shows a fire incident involving the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker MV Falcon near the coast of Aden, Yemen, in October 2025, and is being circulated with a false context.
Claim
A Facebook user shared the viral image on July 8, 2026, claiming: “Iranian missile force has struck an LPG tanker going to India.” The post link, archive link, and screenshot are provided below.
Fact Check
To verify the viral claim, we conducted a keyword-based search on Google. However, we did not find any credible media report confirming that an India-bound LPG tanker was targeted by Iranian missile forces. During the research, we extracted keyframes from the viral image and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. The search led us to a report published by NDTV on October 20, 2025, which contained the same visuals as the viral image. The report link and screenshot are provided below.
According to the NDTV report, a fire broke out onboard the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker MV Falcon following an explosion near the coast of Aden, Yemen. The incident involved 23 Indian crew members, who were rescued safely. The incident occurred on October 18, 2025, at around 07:00 UTC, when the vessel was sailing approximately 113 nautical miles southeast of Aden while heading towards Djibouti. Following the explosion, the vessel went adrift and around 15% of the ship was engulfed in flames. Further verification through keyword searches led us to an India Today report published on October 20, 2025, which also confirmed that the MV Falcon caught fire after an explosion off the coast of Aden, Yemen. The report stated that all 23 Indian crew members onboard were rescued. The report also mentioned that authorities had initiated an research into the incident and ruled out speculation that the explosion was caused by a Houthi attack. The report link and screenshot are provided below.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral claim is misleading. The image being shared as proof of an Iranian missile strike on an India-bound LPG tanker is actually from an unrelated incident that occurred in October 2025. The image shows the fire that broke out onboard the Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker MV Falcon near Aden, Yemen, following an explosion. The old image is being circulated with a false narrative linking it to Iran and India.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media claiming to show a helicopter's thermal camera capturing hundreds of crocodiles hidden along the Amazon River at night. The footage appears to show a thermal imaging view of a river and its banks, where hundreds of crocodiles can allegedly be seen. Users claim the video was recorded using night-vision/thermal imaging technology over the Amazon River. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. The research revealed that the viral video is not authentic but has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a fabricated claim.
Claim
Social media users are sharing the video claiming that it shows a thermal camera recording of hundreds of crocodiles in and around the Amazon River at night. The post link and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DalJ41bIezV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DalJ41bIezV/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted several keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. However, we found no credible news reports, authentic videos, or reliable sources confirming that the footage was recorded over the Amazon River.
We then conducted a detailed visual analysis of the video. The footage exclusively shows crocodile-like figures spread across the river and its banks, while no other aquatic animals or natural environmental activity—normally expected in a river ecosystem of that scale—are visible. These inconsistencies raised further doubts about the video's authenticity.
As part of our verification, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The analysis indicated a 95.7% probability that the video was AI-generated.
As part of our verification, we analysed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The analysis indicated a 95.7% probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video does not show a genuine thermal-camera recording of the Amazon River. The footage was created using artificial intelligence and is being circulated online with a false and misleading claim.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media showing what appears to be a military facility coming under heavy aerial bombardment. Soldiers can be seen running for cover as explosions occur, followed by thick plumes of smoke rising from the site. Users sharing the clip claim that tensions in the Middle East have escalated once again and that the United States has launched fresh strikes on Iranian-linked military positions. CyberPeace Research Wing's research found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the circulating video is AI-generated and has no connection with the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Claim
An Instagram user shared the video claiming that fresh US strikes on Iranian-linked targets had significantly escalated the situation in the Middle East.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZeaatFNv2E/?igsh=aWRvaTZvNTV2aDR3
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZeaatFNv2E/?igsh=aWRvaTZvNTV2aDR3
Fact Check
We extracted several keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. The search did not lead to any credible news reports or verified sources related to the footage. We then closely examined the video and observed several visual inconsistencies. In the opening frames, the soldiers, military vehicles, and surrounding objects display unnatural shapes and distortions—artifacts commonly associated with AI-generated content. In the next stage of our research, we analysed the clip using the AI detection tool Sightengine. The analysis indicated that the video is approximately 66 per cent AI-generated, further supporting our findings that the footage is not authentic.
Another analysis of the recording using the DetectVideo AI tool found a 72 per cent probability that it was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Finally, we searched for recent developments related to the US-Iran tensions using relevant keywords on Google. During the search, we found an NDTV report published on July 9, 2026. The report explains that despite ongoing diplomatic engagement, tensions between the United States and Iran continue to persist due to decades-old political, strategic, and geopolitical disputes. It discusses why incidents of military escalation continue to occur despite repeated attempts at dialogue and de-escalation.
https://ndtv.in/world-news/us-iran-conflict-explained-why-peace-remains-so-elusive-11747960
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video is not genuine. It is an AI-generated video being circulated with a false claim linking it to recent US military strikes on Iran. There is no credible evidence to suggest that the video depicts any real incident connected to the current US-Iran conflict.
Executive Summary
Amid nationwide outrage over the gang-rape of a 13-year-old minor in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, a video is circulating on social media. The clip shows police officers tying the hands of several accused individuals and parading them publicly on the streets. Users sharing the video claim that these are the culprits from the Sriganganagar case being beaten by the police.
A fact-check by the CyberPeace Research Wing found this claim to be misleading. The viral video has no connection to the Rajasthan incident; it actually depicts a separate event from Patan, Gujarat, dating back to March 2026.
The Claim
On July 7, 2026, a user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the video with the caption: "32 jihadis assaulted, brutalized, and raped a 13-year-old girl for five days. These criminals must get the harshest punishment to set an example."
https://x.com/RakeshKishore_l/status/2074400280352084129
Fact Check
To verify the viral claim, keyframes from the video were extracted and analysed using Google Lens for reverse image search. During the research, we found a report published by NDTV on March 19, 2026, which carried visuals matching the viral video. The report link and screenshot are provided below:
According to the NDTV report, a video showing police personnel publicly assaulting 18 alleged accused persons in Gujarat’s Patan district had surfaced. The incident was reported to have taken place during a crime scene reconstruction exercise.
The report stated that the accused, allegedly linked to an extortion gang, were taken to Chanasma for the reconstruction process. During the exercise, police personnel were seen assaulting them. Witnesses claimed that the accused were paraded through areas where they had allegedly created fear among locals.
The accused were reportedly linked to the alleged Jhiliya gang. The incident occurred days after a violent clash in which members of the same group allegedly attacked a police team, forcing officers to retreat from the spot.
During further research, we found a report published by ABP Asmita on March 19, 2026. According to the report, the incident was linked to an old dispute over temple donations.
The report stated that the accused were produced before a court, which sent them to five days of police custody until March 23, 2026. The report link and screenshot are provided below:
Conclusion
The research found that the viral video is not related to the alleged gang rape case in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. The video is being shared with a false context. The footage actually belongs to a separate incident from Gujarat’s Patan district reported in March 2026.
Executive Summary
A video featuring the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Dhiraj Seth, is going viral on social media. The video claims that he made controversial remarks regarding Operation Sindoor and alleged that the previous military leadership hid the bodies of Indian soldiers martyred during the operation. It further claims that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were also kept unaware of the matter. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The research revealed that the viral video was digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI), and the voice heard in the video is not authentic.
Claim
A viral video shared on social media platform X claims that newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth said that the bodies of Indian soldiers martyred during Operation Sindoor were hidden and that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were not informed about it. https://archive.ph/oaOgB , https://x.com/InsiderWB/status/2072434480543899826
Fact Check
To verify the viral claim, we searched the internet using relevant keywords including “General Dhiraj Seth statement on Operation Sindoor”, “Operation Sindoor martyrs”, and “dead bodies hidden.” However, we did not find any credible media report stating that Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth made the remarks attributed to him in the viral video. We also checked the official social media handles of the Indian Army, but found no official statement or information supporting the viral claim. During the research, several keyframes from the viral video were extracted and analysed through reverse image search. The search led us to an ANI report published on July 1, 2026, whose watermark is also visible in the viral video. The original footage shows General Dhiraj Seth addressing the public after assuming charge as the Chief of Army Staff. We carefully reviewed General Dhiraj Seth’s entire address but found no mention of hiding the bodies of martyred soldiers or any statement related to the viral claim. The same address was also shared on the official platform of the Indian Army. The video review confirmed that it does not contain any such remarks.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1592505052458589
During the analysis, it was also observed that the name tag on General Dhiraj Seth’s uniform appears distorted in several frames. Such inconsistencies are commonly seen in AI-generated or digitally manipulated videos. To verify the authenticity of the video, we analysed it using multiple AI detection tools. The results from all the tools were consistent. Hive Moderation’s analysis indicated a high probability that the viral media contains AI-generated or deepfake content.
Undetectable AI’s analysis also concluded that the voice heard in the viral video was likely generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video is not authentic. There is no evidence that Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth ever accused the previous military leadership of concealing the bodies of soldiers martyred during Operation Sindoor. The video has been digitally manipulated, and the claim being circulated on social media is misleading.
Executive Summary
A claim is going viral on social media stating that India’s passport ranking has declined from the 76th position in 2014 to the 125th position this year. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be misleading. The two rankings mentioned in the viral claim were issued by different agencies. The 76th rank in 2014 was given by the Henley Passport Index, while the 125th rank this year was assigned by the Global Passport Index.
Claim
The viral claim states that India’s passport ranking, which was 76th in 2014, has fallen to the 125th position this year. The claim was shared on X (formerly Twitter) with a Hindi caption.
https://x.com/JyotiDevSpeaks/status/2073706900437508468
FactCheck
To verify the claim, we first searched relevant news reports and found that India’s passport has been ranked 125th in the latest Global Passport Index.
https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-indian-passport-slips-one-spot-in-global-ranking/live-77836287
We then checked the official website of Global Citizen Solutions, the organization that publishes the Global Passport Index. The data available on the website confirms that India’s passport has been placed at the 125th position in the latest ranking.
https://www.globalcitizensolutions.com/passport-index/india/
Further, we investigated which organization had ranked the Indian passport 76th in 2014. The search revealed that the ranking was issued by the Henley Passport Index, published by Henley & Partners. According to the information available on the Henley Global website, India’s passport was ranked 76th in 2014, while it stands at the 80th position in the 2026 Henley Passport Index. The rankings assigned to the Indian passport from 2006 to 2026 can be seen in the image below.
https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index
Conclusion
Our research found that the claim stating India’s passport ranking declined from 76th position to 125th position is misleading. The two rankings cited in the viral claim were issued by different organizations and cannot be compared directly. The 2014 ranking came from the Henley Passport Index, while the 125th position refers to the Global Passport Index.
Executive Summary
A video featuring Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is being widely shared on social media. The video is being linked to his alleged third wedding with Gauri Spratt, with users claiming that both of his former wives, Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, attended the ceremony. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The viral video is not from Aamir Khan’s alleged third wedding. It is actually from the wedding celebrations of his daughter, Ira Khan, held two years ago. Furthermore, no credible media report confirms that Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao attended Aamir Khan’s alleged wedding with Gauri Spratt.
Claim
On July 5, 2026, an X (formerly Twitter) user shared the viral video with the caption: “At the age of 61, Aamir Khan got married for the third time and even invited his former wives to the wedding.” The post link, archive link, and screenshots are provided below.
https://x.com/anilyadavmedia1/status/2073728740048208226
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted several keyframes from the viral video and performed a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the research, we found the same video uploaded on the YouTube channel Viral Bollywood on January 4, 2024. The visuals in that video matched the viral clip exactly. The post link and screenshots are provided below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV39oUh-_tU
In the next stage of our research, we found another video published by Zoom on January 4, 2024. The visuals in this video also matched those seen in the viral clip. The post link and screenshots are provided below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Um5eB6kpM
We also looked into whether Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao attended Aamir Khan’s alleged third wedding. During this process, we found a report published by Aaj Tak, which stated that both of Aamir Khan’s former wives did not attend the alleged wedding ceremony. The post link and screenshots are provided below.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video is not from Aamir Khan’s alleged third wedding. It is an old video from the wedding celebrations of his daughter, Ira Khan, held in 2024. Moreover, there is no credible evidence or media report confirming that Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao attended Aamir Khan’s alleged wedding with Gauri Spratt. Therefore, the viral claim is misleading.
Executive Summary
A video showing a massive fire in a high-rise building is being widely shared on social media. The footage shows a tall building engulfed in flames with thick smoke rising from it. Users are circulating the video with multiple claims. Some social media users claim that the video is from Tehran, Iran, where Israel allegedly carried out an attack on the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Others are sharing the same video as an alleged strike by the United States Air Force on the IRGC headquarters. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be misleading. The video is not related to any Israeli or U.S. military strike on Iran’s IRGC. In reality, it shows a massive fire that broke out in a skyscraper in Changsha, China, in 2022.
Claim
On Facebook, a user shared the viral video on 3 July 2026, claiming: “Israel has carried out a massive attack on IRGC headquarters in Tehran, Iran. The headquarters has been destroyed in the strike.” The post link, archive link, and screenshots are provided below.
https://archive.ph/7BknH
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1530020795436530
Fact Check
During verification, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and performed a reverse image search using Google Lens. The research led us to the same footage uploaded on the official YouTube channel of Hindustan Times on 16 September 2022. According to the video description, the incident shows a massive fire at a high-rise building in Changsha, China, not any military strike in Iran.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cphle9wkjCE
The video description states that the incident took place in a 42-storey building in Changsha, which housed the offices of the state-owned telecommunications company China Telecom. Authorities had initially confirmed that no casualties were reported. Further research led us to a report published on The Guardian website three years ago, which also contained visuals matching the viral footage.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/16/major-fire-breaks-out-at-skyscraper-in-changsha-china
According to The Guardian report, the 42-storey, 218-metre-high building was constructed in 2000 and is located near a major ring road. The report also confirmed that there were no reported fatalities in the incident.
Conclusion
The research clearly found that the viral video does not show an Israeli or U.S. attack on Iran’s IRGC headquarters. The footage is from a massive fire that broke out in a skyscraper in Changsha, China, in 2022. Therefore, the claim being circulated on social media is false and misleading.
Executive Summary
A video of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri speaking to a reporter is being circulated on social media with the claim that he said the Indian government was forced to publicly acknowledge the soldiers killed during Operation Sindoor due to political pressure from the families of the deceased. Research conducted by the CyberPeace Research Wing found that the viral video had been manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI). Vikram Misri's voice was artificially cloned, meaning the audio heard in the clip is not genuine but has been generated and altered using AI technology.
Claim
The video was shared on X (formerly Twitter) with the following caption: "Breaking. Explosive revelations from Vikram Misri. Indian Government was forced to admit the fallen soldiers in Operation Sindoor due to political pressure from the families of victims. Previous CDS was made to resign because of the same reason."
https://x.com/InsiderWB/status/2071642756125008031
Fact Check
We conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens, which led us to a video uploaded on The Tribune's verified YouTube channel that matched the viral clip. In the original video, Vikram Misri clarified that the Government of India neither officially participated in, supported, nor was involved in any event related to India-Pakistan dialogue. He further stated that the government had taken no cognisance of such private events and that the retired dignitaries and diplomats present were expressing their personal views, not speaking on behalf of the Government of India.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCrv0Vcgp28
Since we found no evidence that Vikram Misri had ever made the statements attributed to him in the viral clip, we analysed the video using Hive Moderation's AI-generated content detection tool. The analysis indicated that the viral video is 96 per cent AI-generated.
To further verify the claim, we analysed the audio using Hiya Audio Intelligence. The tool concluded that the voice in the viral video appears to have been generated or modified using artificial intelligence.
Conclusion
The viral video is misleading. Our research found that the video of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had been manipulated using artificial intelligence. He never made any statement claiming that the Indian government disclosed the names of soldiers killed during Operation Sindoor due to pressure from their families. Therefore, the viral claim is false.
Executive Summary
An image is being widely shared on social media claiming that during the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Iran and Egypt in Seattle, Washington, the stadium hosted a “Pride Match,” with massive LGBTQ rainbow flags spread across the pitch before kickoff. Users claim the image shows FIFA allowing rainbow flags inside the stadium during the match. CyberPeace Research Wing's research found the claim to be misleading. There is no evidence that FIFA or the official organizers displayed giant rainbow flags across the pitch during the pre-match ceremony. The viral image has been digitally altered and does not depict an actual scene from the event.
Claim
On June 27, 2026, an X (formerly Twitter) user shared the image with the caption, “Seattle trolled Egypt and Iran so hard.” Similar posts were also circulated on Facebook and other social media platforms in Spanish and Arabic. https://perma.cc/9QUF-Y7LG ,https://x.com/zachleft/status/2070727350288068687/
FactCheck
The image began circulating after the June 26 FIFA World Cup match between Iran and Egypt ended in a 1-1 draw. Iran (Team Melli) had a stoppage-time goal disallowed, leaving the team short of qualifying for the tournament’s 32-team knockout stage, while Egypt advanced alongside Belgium from the top of Group G. https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/6/29/iran-team-to-fly-home-monday-following-world-cup-exit-1334
Further research found that Egyptian and Iranian officials had objected to pro-LGBTQ celebrations surrounding the fixture. Seattle authorities had designated the match as part of the city's Pride celebrations well before the World Cup draw determined which teams would play there. Under Iranian Islamic law, homosexuality is illegal and can be punishable by death. In Egypt, same-sex relations are often prosecuted under broadly worded laws relating to "debauchery" or "immorality. https://www.barrons.com/news/in-seattle-lgbtq-and-world-cup-are-feted-except-by-iran-egypt-f6d970dc.
We also examined the viral image using OpenAI’s image verification tool, which detected the presence of SynthID—an invisible watermark embedded by Google in AI-generated content. This indicates that the image was created or modified using AI tools.
In addition, we reviewed the live broadcasts of the match by Fox Sports and Universo. Both broadcasts showed only the national flags of Iran and Egypt displayed on the pitch before kickoff. No giant rainbow flags appeared during the pre-match ceremony.
Conclusion
Our research found the viral claim to be misleading. There is no evidence that FIFA or the official organizers displayed massive rainbow flags across the pitch during the Iran vs Egypt World Cup match. The viral image is digitally altered, contains indicators of AI generation, and does not represent an actual moment from the event.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media linking it to a Muharram procession in India. The video shows a person engulfed in flames, with users claiming that an individual was deliberately set on fire during a Muharram procession in India. Several social media users are circulating the clip with communal claims. CyberPeace Research Wing research found that the viral claim is misleading. The video does not show any incident of a person being deliberately burned during a Muharram procession. In reality, it is from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, where a performer sustained burn injuries while performing stunts during a Muharram procession.
Claim:
On X (formerly Twitter), a user posted the viral video on 3 June 2026, claiming: “Not Bangladesh, this is India where a person is being burned alive during a Muharram procession.” The post link, archive link, and screenshots are provided below. https://x.com/singh_kikki/status/2070753631167541586 , https://archive.ph/vP3bZ
Fact Check:
For verification, we extracted multiple keyframes from the video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the search, we found the same video published on the Public app on 27 June 2026. According to the report, the incident took place on Malviya Road in Deoria city, Uttar Pradesh, during a Muharram procession, where a member of the 5-Star Club akhara, Saddam (24), a resident of Bans Deoria, suffered burn injuries while performing stunts involving fire. The report further stated that members of the akhara immediately rescued him and arranged first aid. Police confirmed that his condition is stable and that the incident was accidental. No other untoward incident was reported, and all Muharram processions were conducted peacefully. A statement by Circle Officer (City), Sanjay Kumar Reddy, was also included in the report. https://public.app/video/sp_zh7dywam0a2pb
In our subsequent research, we found a report published on Dainik Bhaskar's website with the same claim. A link and screenshot of the post are provided below. https://www.bhaskar.com/amp/local/uttar-pradesh/deoria/news/deoria-youth-burns-muharram-procession-stunt-138296624.html
Finally, we also found an official post from the Deoria Police X handle confirming the incident. The police stated that a performer from the 5-Star Club akhara was injured while performing stunts on Malviya Road and was immediately given first aid. His condition is stable, and no other incident occurred. https://x.com/DeoriaPolice/status/2070521290864377982
Conclusion:
The research clearly found that the viral video does not show a person being deliberately burned during a Muharram procession. The footage is from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, where a performer was accidentally injured during a fire stunt.
Executive Summary
A video showing a completely melted traffic signal is going viral on social media. Users sharing the clip claim that an unprecedented and historic heatwave in European countries like Italy, Spain, France, and Germany has become so severe that modern infrastructure—including traffic lights—is literally melting under the sun However, factual research by the CyberPeace Research Wing reveals that this claim is false. The traffic signal did not melt due to weather conditions; it was damaged by a nearby car fire in Italy.
The Claim
On June 30, 2026, an Instagram user named 'khabribhaiyaa' shared the video with a caption stating:"Many European countries are currently in the grip of an unprecedented and historic heatwave. Temperatures in countries like Italy and Germany have neared 40 degree forcing authorities to issue red alerts. The situation is so bad that modern infrastructure is buckling under this deadly heat. Images and reports from the streets are shocking; traffic lights are melting and dripping due to the extreme heat. Not only this, but paved roads and highways are warping due to excessive temperatures, bringing traffic to a standstill. Additionally, railway tracks and other critical infrastructure are suffering heavy damage."
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaMpGhjG7h4
https://perma.cc/STD7-75S9?type=standard
To verify the viral claim, we extracted keyframes from the video and ran a Google Lens search. This led us to a report published on June 28, 2026, by the Italian website 'ilbacodaseta'. The building structure visible in the background of the website's featured photo directly matched the backdrop of the viral video.
https://www.ilbacodaseta.org/lugagnano-auto-in-fiamme-al-semaforo-paura-in-via-26-aprile/#google_vignette
Furthermore, we cross-referenced the spot on Google Maps, confirming that the location perfectly matches the visuals seen in the viral clip.
A report by 'tgverona' regarding the same car accident was also shared on Facebook by wrestling referee Johnny Puttini, further verifying that the damage was the result of an accidental fire, not atmospheric heatwaves.
Conclusion
The claim that European heatwaves are melting traffic lights is False. The viral video shows a traffic signal in Lugagnano, Italy, that melted in June 2026 due to a car fire right beneath it. It has nothing to do with the summer temperature or climate conditions.
