Misleading Claims Circulate About Bus Accident at Maha Kumbh Event
The internet is awash with images and videos during large events, often leading to confusion and misinformation. One such recent case involves claims surrounding the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela happening at Prayagraj, India. A video circulated widely on social media purportedly shows a bus accident involving fatalities at this religious pilgrimage. The video shows passengers falling from the bus after it flipped over, leading many to believe it took place during the Kumbh Mela festivities.
This claim gained traction, with social media users asserting the incident occurred during the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela; one Instagram post even read, "A bus going to Maha Kumbh fell in a drain and 10 kids and men were found dead," echoing similar sentiments across various platforms.
Upon receiving this viral content, the Digital Fact-Checking and Research Team (DFRAC) sprang to action. They conducted detailed investigations and reverse image searches to verify the video's origins. Their findings, confirmed through various sources, revealed startling results—this was not from Prayagraj but stemmed from Pakistan. According to their reports, the video originates from November 2, 2024, when the bus fell inside a drain near Lahore, not long before the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela commenced.
Supporting this confirmation, the Pakistani news outlet HUM News reported on the same event, detailing how the bus was transporting over 70 individuals returning from the Tablighi Jamaat congregation held annually at Raiwind. This accident caused injuries to 29 passengers but, remarkably, did not result in fatalities. Express Tribune echoed these findings, stating the bus careened off course after its tire slipped on the narrow road, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Further examination revealed the viral video predated the Maha Kumbh Mela, which officially began on January 13, 2025. The investigations corroborated the incident's timeline, underlining the fact it occurred well before the Kumbh festivities.
Interestingly, there was, albeit unrelated, another significant bus accident reported on February 2, 2025, attributed to pilgrims returning from the Maha Kumbh. This tragedy took place on the Nashik-Gujarat highway, resulting in seven deaths. Reports indicated the bus driver lost control, sending the vehicle tumbling downwards, yet crew members of the ill-fated bus had nothing to do with the viral video.
Adding layers to the misinformation, Vishvas News, another fact-checking organization, emphasized the viral video's misleading association with the Prayagraj events. They examined similar claims on platforms like Facebook, where numerous users shared the footage citing casualties at the Kumbh and falsely attributing the location of the accident to Prayagraj.
Vishvas News, through extensive research, also uncovered the original source of the video from Pakistani news channels. A YouTube upload dated November 3, 2024, and later broadcasts on various platforms confirming the video’s details effectively dismissed the concerns associated with the Maha Kumbh. One reporter, Mohammad Kamran, confirmed to Vishvas News, “The video is from November 3, 2024, when the bus carrying 70 people was travelling to Kot Addu city after the annual Tablighi Ijtema. During the ride, the bus's wheel slipped, leading to it falling off the drain.” This reinforces the idea of the story’s genteel timeline separating it from any contextual overlap with the vacationing pilgrims or the Kumbh Mela.”
Despite being debunked, the misleading claims surrounding the video reflect broader issues related to how misinformation can quickly spread during significant public events. The social media narratives often outpace the reality of such events, leaving accountability trailing behind.
The dissemination of such misleading narratives could have significant repercussions on public perception and the safety of pilgrims attending the Maha Kumbh Mela. Fact-checking organizations play a pivotal role during events like these to dispel false information and maintain the sanctity of historical and religious gatherings.
The presence of accurate information is more important than ever, especially as millions flock to major cultural and religious events like the Maha Kumbh, where safety and respect for pilgrimage remain at the forefront. Through diligent fact-checking, the integrity of these sacred events can be upheld even against the backdrop of spreading misinformation.
Conclusively, the videos circulating online, incorrect claims surrounding the bus accident attributed to the Maha Kumbh Mela, have been proven wrong. Fact-checkers have established the story's origins, ensuring the focus remains on reporting accurate information during such significant gatherings. Vigilance is key, as maintaining factual integrity often proves to be just as important as the event itself.