This video does show flooding in Mozambique — but back in 2000

This article is more than one year old.
Published on May 1, 2019 at 11:04
2 min read
By AFP Kenya, Mary KULUNDU

A Facebook video which shows extensive flood damage in Mozambique is being interpreted by many users as showing the current situation after torrential rains following Cyclone Kenneth. In fact, the video was taken in Mozambique after floods back in 2000. The same video was also used in misleading posts in March about Cyclone Idai.

Heavy rains have walloped northern Mozambique after Kenneth, the second cyclone to hit the southern African country in less than two months, arrived last week. AFP reported that at least 38 people have been killed by the secnd cyclone.

The misleading post, which we’ve archived here, was published on this Facebook page with more than 130,000 followers.

“HEAVY RAIN IN MOZAMBIQUE,” read the April 29 post.

Screenshot taken on April 30, 2019 of the video on Facebook

Some online users questioned the authenticity of the footage but fell short of correctly identifying it.

Screenshot taken on April 30, 2019 of comments on the misleading Facebook post

Screenshot taken on April 30, 2019 of comments on the misleading Facebook post

A search on video verification platform INVID showed the video was made by British broadcaster ITN in February 2000, and published on the website of Getty Images.

The caption read: “Aerial views of flooded town and stranded people on rooftops / South African military helicopters rescuing people / Flood victims wade through water to helicopter. Mozambique floods on February 27, 2000 in Mozambique”.

Screenshot taken on April 30, 2019 shows the footage, filmed in 2000, on the Getty Images website

Mozambique experienced devastating flooding in 2000, when Cyclone Leon-Eline struck, killing hundreds of people.

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This video does show flooding in Mozambique — but back in 2000

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