After an 8.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, tsunami warnings were issued in several countries. According to reports, nations like Japan and Hawaii have already been affected by unusual waves.
Amid this, a video of a massive wave washing out boats and scaring people in a coastal area has gone viral on social media. Many shared the clip, claiming that this tsunami was triggered by the earthquake in Russia.
The caption of one such post read, “BREAKING: Massive 8.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Russia’s Kamchatka Coast. A powerful earthquake has struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific. Waves have already reached parts of Russia and Japan, with more expected. Our hearts are with those affected. If you’re in a coastal area of Russia, Japan, or anywhere under a tsunami alert, follow official guidance and move to higher ground immediately. Stay safe. Stay alert.”
India Today Fact Check, however, found that the video is eight years old and from Greenland.
Our Probe
Upon reverse searching keyframes from the viral video, we found an Instagram post featuring the same clip, dated June 19. The caption of this post read, “Fishermen caught off guard by Tsunami. Location: Greenland. Year: 2017.” This makes it evident that the video is unrelated to the recent earthquake that hit Russia on July 30.
Conducting a subsequent search with keywords led us to the same clip uploaded by a YouTube channel named “Licet Studios” on April 9, 2021. The video description stated that a powerful tsunami wave hit Greenland’s west coast, leaving several fishermen shocked. All three people seen in this video, however, escaped the wave just in time.
The description further added that on the evening of June 17, 2017, a gigantic landslide occurred on the southern slope of the Umiammakku Nunaat peninsula, Greenland. Following the landslide, a tsunami wave reportedly hit the small village of Nuugaatsiaq, dragging four people to the sea.
Per a BBC report, dated June 18, 2017, four people went missing from Nuugaatsiaq after tsunami waves swept away 11 homes in the village. Other reports noted that Greenland’s National Day (June 21) — a day for celebrating the island’s home rule government — turned into a day of mourning after the four missing people were presumed dead. The then-prime minister of Greenland, Kim Kielsen, had also offered his condolences at the time.
Thus, it is safe to conclude that the viral video is unrelated to the recent earthquake in Russia.
– Ends