A photo showing a huge fire has been shared multiple times on social media, with the following claim: “A fire is burning a number of homes in the center of occupied Tel Aviv, the cause is not yet known.”
Kashif verified the photo using “Google Images” tool, and found it to be old and the claim misleading. The photo was published by the Russian website “РИА Новости Медиабанк” on 22 March 2024, with the following caption: “A fire broke out in the “Crocus City” concert hall, where the shooting took place. At least three people wearing camouflage clothing opened fire, and some of them were injured.”
“RIA Новости”website also published the same photo on 22 March 2024 in a report with the following title: “Shooting began in Crocus City Hall, casualties reported.”
“sputnik media bank” also published the same photo on the same date, stated that it shows “smoke rising above the concert venue in Crocus City Hall after a shooting incident near Moscow, Russia. A number of armed men in military uniform stormed a concert hall on March 22 and opened fire with automatic weapons on the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people.
The armed group attacked a concert at the “Crooks City” hall, which led to a huge fire after the shooting. While the ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack that killed 144 people.
| Sources of verification | Sources of claim |
| РИА Новости Медиабанк РИА Новости sputnik media bank lenta.ru الميادين – AlMayadeen العربية – AlArabiyah | alFidayy al-Sayed Malik al-Houthi Ahmad Mohammad Mohammad عَبَقُْ – 3BAQ |