Fact Check: Viral Photo of Theatre Roof Collapse Misidentified as Recent Incident in Argentina
A photo purportedly showing a theatre ceiling collapse during a ‘Final Destination’ screening is actually from an incident in Washington State during a ‘Captain America’ showing. The Argentine event involved only minor injuries, while the U.S. collapse was more serious, with no injuries reported. The two incidents are unrelated despite social media claims.
In the world of viral social media, a photo claiming to depict a recent theatre ceiling collapse during a screening of the latest ‘Final Destination’ film has drawn significant attention. However, a fact check reveals that this image is actually from a different incident in the United States, not Argentina. The incident in question occurred on February 25, during a screening of ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ at Liberty Cinema in Wenatchee, Washington.
The viral image surfaced amidst reports of a ceiling collapse during a birthday celebration screening of ‘Final Destination Bloodlines’ on May 19 in La Plata, Argentina. This unfortunate event, which injured the birthday girl Fiamma Villaverde, was likely precipitated by heavy rains. She sustained injuries to her legs and back but managed to escape what was, undoubtedly, a terrifying experience.
Many users took to social media, sharing the image that showed debris on the theatre floor in front of the big screen. This prompted reports labelling it as evidence of the Argentine incident, which presents a disconcerting case of miscommunication. Investigations by India Today Fact Check clarified the photo’s true origins, linking it back to the theatre collapse in Wenatchee.
The fact check team conducted a reverse image search that led to an NBC News article from February 27, confirming the photo’s context. It highlighted that during the Washington incident, only two spectators were present in the theatre when the ceiling collapsed; luckily, no one was injured. In contrast, reports from Argentina indicated the episode there was much smaller and did not involve significant structural damage—only a minor section of the ceiling fell.
The discrepancies between the two incidents reveal a stark contrast. While one was a minor mishap, the Washington incident involved much greater collapse, with rafter beams and tiles crashing down at the front of the theatre. These two events cannot be compared in scale and should not be conflated.
Therefore, it is important to point out that the viral image has been inappropriately associated with a recent event, misleading many in the process. This situation illustrates the importance of verifying facts before sharing potentially damaging information online.
For more information or to report inaccurate claims, readers are encouraged to reach out via email at [email protected] or at 73 7000 7000.
In summary, the viral image associated with a theatre ceiling collapse during a ‘Final Destination’ screening is actually from a different incident in Washington State. The misrepresentation highlights the importance of verifying facts before sharing online. Furthermore, the two events differ significantly in scale and impact, underlining the need for accurate reporting in the media.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
