6 Fake News Stories About The London Attacks Circulating The Internet
Let's shut down this BS shall we?
Yesterday afternoon an attack on Westminster, the British parliament, left at least 4 people dead and many more seriously injured.
As is often the case with incidents like this, misinformation was widely spread across media. Many news sites have now started debunking the incorrect stories floating around which we have gathered here to help you identify what's real or not.
1. The attackers name is NOT Abu Izzadean.
Statement from Channel 4 News pic.twitter.com/34QLcQasLI
— Hayley Barlow (@Hayley_Barlow) March 22, 2017
This was from a report on Channel 4 news. BuzzFeed News confirmed that the real Abu Izzadeen is in fact in prison. C4 has since retracted its claim.
2. Nor was it this guy.
here's another. Every time there is an incident, you'll see tweets with comedian Sam Hyde's picture. This is a hoax https://t.co/742SyhFhT1 pic.twitter.com/W2HR4xHwXp
— Elena Cresci (@elenacresci) March 22, 2017
It's actually comedian Sam Hyde. It's not the first time this has happened either.
3. And it wasn't this guy either.
people are posting a picture from a viral tweet and claiming it's the suspect from the London attack. This is (v v probably) a hoax. pic.twitter.com/uDBfbfYuwS
— Elena Cresci (@elenacresci) March 22, 2017
Shout out to Elena Cresci for shutting down all this BS.
3. No, London has not been "shut down".
Will be on Tucker on Fox News at 9 AM EST to discuss the terror act in London. "One man can shut down a city.."
— Walid Phares (@WalidPhares) March 22, 2017
All the trains were running during and after the attack, as was the tube. Most roads are still open. Restaurants are still serving food, cafes are still selling flat whites, the River Thames is still flowing, pigeons are still pooing on everyone etc.
4. This tube sign is fake.
This photo of a Tube information sign was being shared widely this morning but it's fake (it was made by a tube sign generator). London Tube signs are usually a lot wittier than this tbh.
5. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, didn't say "terrorist attacks are "part and parcel" of life" immediately after the attack.
You have to be kidding me?!: Terror attacks are part of living in big city, says London Mayor Sadiq Khan https://t.co/uSm2pwRTjO
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 22, 2017
The quote was picked up after Donald Trump Jnr tweeted it immediately after the attacks. However, the quote was in fact from an interview from September 2016. Trump Jnr was been fiercely criticised for his poor timing and judgement after sharing the quote.
This is what Sadiq actually had to say:
Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism. pic.twitter.com/LTLhgZ7OLQ
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 22, 2017
6. This woman isn't missing.
This is Tamara de Anda, a Mexican journalist, she is alive and well on FB live right now #westminster #parliament https://t.co/m3zji57OME pic.twitter.com/KtUyIPstRP
— Alastair Reid (@ajreid) March 22, 2017
Her name is Tamara de Anda and she is a Mexican journalist. She's confirmed she is safe and well in Mexico City, where she lives.
It always pays to be cautious before sharing any information on social media when incidents like this happen. Sharing fake images or misinformation can often have serious effects on those affected. When in doubt, always check with local law enforcement agencies if they have/can confirm the legitimacy of stories.
