Fact check: Jabalpur tragedy viral photo is AI-generated, say officials

After the Bargi Dam cruise accident in Jabalpur, a photograph of a mother holding a child was shared rapidly across WhatsApp, Facebook, and X. Some users claimed it showed victims of the capsizing. The Jabalpur District Administration has rejected that claim and said the image has no connection to the tragedy.

NDTV reported a false connection between the image and the accident. The post had intensified the emotional response around the incident.

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Photo not linked to Bargi tragedy

Officials said in a post shared through the Jabalpur Collector’s official handle, “This photo is AI-generated or from some other source. It has no connection with the Bargi cruise accident.”

A similar clarification came from the administration, which said the image was either artificially generated or came from an unrelated context. It is misleading and unrelated to the actual incident.

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Authorities warn against sharing unverified visuals

The misleading image circulated while rescue and recovery operations were still under way at Bargi Dam after the cruise boat capsized.

Authorities concentrated on identifying victims and supporting affected families, cautioning that unverified visuals can exacerbate distress during an already sensitive time. The administration has urged people to solely trust verified updates and refrain from forwarding unverified content.