iPhone Explosion from 2021 Cairo Incident, Not Lebanon
The claim regarding iPhones exploding in Lebanon emerged after a series of recent explosions. These incidents involved not only mobile phones but also lithium batteries, biometric identification devices, and other wireless gadgets. As panic spread, misinformation quickly circulated, leading to false claims about random iPhone explosions harming individuals.
This is about our investigation of this claim.
Social Media Claim
Recently, a Facebook user shared a photo of an exploded iPhone, linking it to the recent explosions in Lebanon. This claim quickly gained traction, resulting in a significant number of reactions and comments from other users on the platform.
The following image is captured from the above Facebook user who says, “Explosions took place in Lebanon this evening involving mobile phones, lithium batteries, biometric identification devices, and other wireless devices”.
Similarly, the above photo claim was also found and posted on X recently, with a claim pointing that “🇱🇧🇮🇱 iPhones are exploding in shops around Lebanon. All western technology is embedded with explosives”.
BREAKING:
— Anonymous Gaza (@YourAnonGaza) September 18, 2024
🇱🇧🇮🇱 iPhones are exploding in shops around Lebanon.
All western technology is embedded with explosives. pic.twitter.com/ylxxrcj8zT
Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.
Fact Check
We began our investigation by conducting a reverse image search on Google, which revealed a report from the Egyptian outlet Cairo 24, published on March 19, 2021. The report details an incident in Maadi, Egypt, where an iPhone exploded, resulting in severe injuries, including a broken arm for a child.
This tragic event highlights the potential dangers of faulty electronics and clarifies that the viral image circulating online is from this past incident and not related to the blasts in Lebanon.
By tracing the image back to its origins, we can combat misinformation and ensure the public has accurate information regarding recent events.
Cairo 24 News Report | Archived Link
The report further details that a child named Hamza from Al Maadi, Egypt, suffered a broken arm while trying to escape a fire that erupted after an iPhone exploded while it was charging. Following this alarming incident, Hamza's father filed a police report, accusing the iPhone manufacturer of negligence. He highlighted that the device was less than a month old, raising concerns about the safety of the product. This context underscores the seriousness of the situation and emphasizes that the viral image is indeed from this incident and unrelated to the recent events in Lebanon.
Fact Crescendo has found that the claim linked to the viral image is misleading. The exploded iPhone image originates from a 2021 incident in a suburb of Cairo, Egypt, and is not related to the recent events in Lebanon.Moving forward, we discovered an article on the Arabic website nabd.com, published on March 20, 2021, that corroborates the same details regarding the incident. It confirms that a child was injured due to an iPhone explosion in Maadi, Cairo. This additional source reinforces the accuracy of the original report and further clarifies that the viral image is unrelated to the recent blasts in Lebanon.
Can an iPhone explode, and was it really involved in the recent events in Lebanon?
The recent events in Lebanon involved explosions that were primarily linked to various devices, including mobile phones, lithium batteries, and other electronic equipment. However, these incidents are unrelated to specific claims about iPhones exploding.
While it’s true that iPhones can experience battery malfunctions leading to explosions, such occurrences are rare and typically result from specific factors like manufacturing defects, damage, or improper charging. The viral claims suggesting that iPhones are randomly exploding in Lebanon are misleading and have emerged amidst the chaos and panic surrounding the actual events.
Misinformation can spread rapidly on social media, often exacerbating fears and creating confusion. It's crucial to distinguish between verified incidents and sensational claims to prevent misunderstandings and ensure accurate communication regarding the situation in Lebanon.
DW News Report | Archived Link
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Conclusion
Fact Crescendo has found that the claim linked to the viral image is misleading. The exploded iPhone image originates from a 2021 incident in a suburb of Cairo, Egypt, and is not related to the recent events in Lebanon.