Fact Check: Old video of Mi-17 crash-land shared as chopper mishap that killed CDS Rawat
A video of an IAF Mi-17 helicopter that crash-landed in eastern Arunachal Pradesh on November 18 was shared on social media with the claim that this was the crash that killed CDS General Bipin Rawat.
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India Today Fact Check
This is the video of an IAF Mi-17 helicopter that crash-landed in eastern Arunachal Pradesh on November 18. The two pilots and three crew members received minor injuries. CDS Rawat, his wife and 11 others died in a chopper crash in Tamil Nadu on December 8.
Shock and grief gripped India as news of CDS Bipin Rawat’s death in a chopper crash broke out. His wife and 11 others were also killed in the fatal mishap that took place in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
Soon after, a video of a chopper crash-landing in the middle of a jungle in a hilly area started circulating on social media with the claim that this was the crash that killed CDS Rawat. Those filming the video are also seen running away as the chopper makes a rough landing.
India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AWFA) has found the claim along with the video to be misleading. This is the video of an IAF Mi-17 helicopter that crash-landed in eastern Arunachal Pradesh on November 18.
The viral posts have been archived here, here and here.
AFWA probe
Using InVID and reverse image search, we found that the viral video was published by multiple news outlets last month.
According to these reports, an IAF Mi-17 helicopter had crash-landed in eastern Arunachal Pradesh with two pilots and three crew members on board on November 18.
The helicopter was carrying out a maintenance sortie from Hayuliang to Rochham when the incident took place near Rochham helipad. ITBP troops rescued all the passengers safely.
News agency ANI had posted the same video on November 18, and said a local had videographed the incident.
#WATCH video of the Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter that crash-landed near a helipad in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh today with two pilots and three crew members. All of them are safe with minor injuries.
(Source: a local person) pic.twitter.com/cTUbzZRT3J — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2021
Therefore, it is clear that an unrelated video is being shared as of the crash that killed CDS Rawat. AFWA has debunked several images and videos that have falsely claimed to be of the fatal mishap.
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