False Claim of Plane Crash at Egypt Airport Debunked

>

In recent news, a video circulating on social media falsely claims to depict a catastrophic plane crash at an Egyptian airport, allegedly killing 2,000 people. However, fact-checkers have debunked this claim. The video, which has been shared widely online, actually dates back to a 2020 incident involving a crude oil pipeline explosion in the suburbs of Cairo.
On June 22, 2024, a user on Threads shared the video with a misleading caption suggesting a plane crash at Cairo Airport. Soch Fact Check conducted a reverse image search, revealing the footage originated from a July 2020 explosion on the Ismailia Desert Road near Cairo. The explosion, caused by a ruptured pipeline, resulted in injuries but no reported fatalities from a plane crash.
Major news outlets such as Egypt Today, Voice of America, The Telegraph, ABC News, and Xinhua Net reported on the 2020 incident, confirming it was due to an oil leakage and not an aviation accident. Google Maps also indicates that the location of the fire was near Cairo Airport, adding to the confusion. However, no credible sources have reported any recent plane crashes at Cairo Airport.
The viral video’s claim has been shared multiple times on Facebook, further spreading misinformation. In conclusion, the video is not related to any plane crash but rather a past incident involving an oil pipeline explosion.