Clips of a tsunami that hit Japan in 2011 are being passed off as images of the impact of the magnitude 7.1 quake that jolted the country earlier this month.
On Aug. 9, a day after a powerful quake shook Japan, a video of tsunami waves submerging and sweeping away vehicles, houses and containers started to circulate on social media, claiming they were taken this month.
A TikTok user’s post on Aug. 10 carried this text:
“Pray for Japan. 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake 8.8.2024. Tsunami in coastal areas of Iwate and Miyako they are also expecting mega earthquake.”
A Facebook (FB) user reuploaded a copy with the caption:
“Matapos ang Magnitude 7.1 na Lindol sa Japan nag Tsunami naman (After the Magnitude 7.1 quake in Japan, a tsunami followed).”
These are misleading. The clips actually show a tsunami that devastated the coastal city of Miyako in Iwate Prefecture on March 11, 2011 and not the impact of the Aug 8 earthquake that hit the southern part of the country but caused no major damage.
The circulating clips were taken from a video published by Japanese media TBS NEWS DIG’s YouTube channel on Feb. 25, 2021.
According to its title and description, it shows the tsunami that struck Miyako after the magnitude 9.0 quake dubbed as the “Great East Japan Earthquake” in 2011.
Clips from the same video were also erroneously shared last January following the New Year’s Day quake in Japan. (Read Video compilation shows old events, NOT Jan. 1 earthquake in Japan)
The old footage resurfaced a day after a 7.1 magnitude quake hit Nichinan City in the Southwest of Japan. Iwate prefecture, where the circulating clips were taken, is in the northern portion and was not included in the list of quake-affected areas.
The Japanese government recorded no deaths or severe damage but it issued a megaquake advisory, which has been lifted. Small tsunami waves were also detected in various parts such as a 50-centimeter recorded at Miyazaki Port.
VERA Files earlier debunked outdated photos claimed to be from the August quake. (Read OLD photos passed off as aftermath of Aug. 8 tsunami in Japan)
The post by TikTok user @kyuriocityph garnered 2,329 reactions, 1,580 shares and 226,500 views. At least five misleading posts by FB users and a FB page also collectively garnered
370 reactions, 212 comments, 87 shares and 27, 495 views. Some posts carrying the clips also lacked proper context.
