AI-generated images misrepresented as Hong Kong's preparation for Super Typhoon Ragasa

Published on October 1, 2025 at 06:34
3 min read
By AFP Indonesia

Super Typhoon Ragasa swept through the Philippines, Taiwan and southern China in late September, killing more than two dozen people across the region and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Yet images claimed online to show buildings and public transport being wrapped in plastic and secured to the ground to prepare for the storm are AI-generated -- their creator confirmed to AFP that they are not real photos.

"Typhoon Ragasa is roaring. Heavy rain is expected until Thursday. The preparations in Hong Kong are really thorough. Buses, cars, trains and several high-rise buildings are being wrapped in thick plastic to prevent a similar disaster like in 2018," reads an Indonesian-language Instagram post from September 24, 2025.

An image shared alongside the post shows a bus, an airplane and a tram wrapped in clear plastic, with straps fastening the vehicles to the ground.

Screenshot of the false post from Instagram taken on September 29, 2025, with a red cross mark added by AFP

Similar posts showing skyscrapers and statues also wrapped in clear plastic were shared on TikTok and Facebook.

The posts circulated as Hong Kong and parts of southern China were on high alert ahead of Super Typhoon Ragasa, forcing Chinese authorities to shut down schools and businesses in at least 10 cities (archived link).

The storm, branded the year's most powerful yet by weather authorities in Hong Kong, also hit the Philippines, Taiwan and Macau before crashing through southern China with wind speeds of up to 145 kilometres per hour (90 miles per hour) (archived link).

Ragasa's passage through Taiwan killed at least 14 and injured dozens more when a barrier lake burst in eastern Hualien county, according to officials. In the Philippines, more than a dozen people died as well.

In Hong Kong, the impact was less severe, though it still caused flooding, uprooted trees, and grounded flights.

Many Indonesian social media users appear to believe the photos were real, with some claiming they showed how seriously Hong Kong authorities were preparing for the typhoon.

"They're really vigilant there. All of them follow the rules," a user commented on Facebook.

However, the images circulating online are AI-generated.

Visual inconsistencies

Upon closer inspection, the images display visual inconsistencies -- such as typographical errors in signage, distorted scenery and misaligned plane wings -- indicating they were generated by AI.

Virtual inconsistencies in the AI images highlighted by AFP

The images also feature the watermark "HKAIGUY". A search on Instagram found an account with the same name, whose bio describes the user as an "AI Meme Guy from HK" and which consistently shares AI-generated images (archived link).

In a September 23 post, the account shared a carousel of 20 images showing buildings and vehicles wrapped in clear plastic with the caption: "Super Typhoon Ragasa? Hong Kong’s not afraid." (archived link)

The post also includes an AI label, indicating that the images were created or edited using AI tools (archived link).

Screenshot comparison of the picture in the false post (left) and the Instagram post from HKAIGUY with the AI label highlighted by AFP

The owner of the account confirmed the images were digitally manipulated.

"The images were entirely created using AI," the account owner told AFP on September 26.

"The surreal imagery was meant to spark a moment of levity, perhaps even a smile, amidst the tension of typhoon preparations. In Hong Kong, we’re no strangers to storms, but a creative nudge can reinforce the importance of safety while fostering a sense of unity and optimism."

AFP has previously debunked false claims about Typhoon Ragasa here and here.

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