Fact Check: Viral Claim of Train Accident in Rajasthan is False; Video is from a 2019 Hyderabad Incident

Social media is often flooded with misleading information, and a recent viral video claiming a train accident in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is a prime example. Vishvas News conducted an in-depth investigation and found that the claim is entirely false. The footage is actually from a 2019 train accident at Kachiguda railway station in Hyderabad and has no connection to Rajasthan.

What is Going Viral?

A video clip is being widely shared across social media platforms, depicting two trains facing each other on the same track. The post, originating from the Instagram handle ‘official_sahil_shayar’, alleges that a train traveling from Ajmer to Assam met with an accident in Jaipur, resulting in multiple casualties.

The caption accompanying the video states: "Today at 12 o’clock in the morning, a train traveling from Ajmer to Assam collided with another train, resulting in 10 deaths and 80 injuries." This alarming claim led to widespread panic and misinformation.

Investigation and Findings

To verify the authenticity of this claim, Vishvas News conducted a detailed fact-check using advanced online tools and reliable news sources.

1. Google Open Search Tool Analysis

Vishvas News first used the Google Open Search Tool to search for credible reports of a train accident in Jaipur. However, no news articles or official sources confirmed any such incident.

2. Identifying the Video Source

Upon closely examining the video, the ‘Voice of America’ logo was visible. This indicated that the footage had been previously published by an international media organization. A further search on the ‘Voice of America’ YouTube channel led to the original video, uploaded on November 12, 2019. The video description confirmed that the accident had occurred at Kachiguda railway station in Hyderabad on November 11, 2019.

3. Verification from Other News Reports

To cross-check the information, Vishvas News analyzed reports from multiple sources:

• A report from ‘V9 Bharatvarsh’ on YouTube, uploaded on November 12, 2019, confirmed that two trains had collided at Kachiguda station near Hyderabad due to a signal error.
• Jagran.com had published a report on November 11, 2019, stating that 12 people were injured in the collision of an MMTS train and the Kurnool City-Secunderabad Railway Intercity Express at around 10:30 AM.

4. Official Confirmation

Vishvas News had previously fact-checked the same video. At that time, Rajesh Kalyan, Public Relations Officer of Hyderabad Zone Railway, confirmed that the footage was old and the accident had occurred in Kachiguda. Additionally, Narendra Sharma, Senior Correspondent of Dainik Jagran in Jaipur, verified that there was no such accident in Rajasthan.

5. Examining the Source of Misinformation

The Instagram account ‘official_sahil_shayar’, which shared the misleading post, was created in November 2023 and has over 800 followers. It appears to be spreading sensational content without verification.

Understanding the Dangers of Misinformation

Spreading false information can have serious consequences, including public panic, unnecessary distress, and even legal repercussions. Here are some key lessons to remember:

• Verify Before Sharing: Always check credible news sources before forwarding any alarming content.
• Use Fact-Checking Websites: Platforms like Vishvas News, Alt News, and Boom Live specialize in debunking misinformation.
• Report Misinformation: If you come across false content, report it to social media platforms to prevent further spread.

Conclusion

After a thorough investigation, Vishvas News confirmed that the viral claim was fake. The video is from a 2019 train accident in Hyderabad and has no connection to Jaipur or Rajasthan. No such train accident has occurred in Jaipur.

Fact-checking and responsible information sharing are essential to prevent the spread of misinformation. Always verify news before believing or sharing it.