Debunked: False reports of tsunami and Oprah Winfrey's road incident unveiled as hoaxes
In the wake of the recent earthquake off Russia's east coast, misinformation has been spreading like wildfire online. Here's a closer look at some of the facts and the truth behind the rumours.
The viral posts and videos circulating the internet have been causing quite a stir, with many claiming to show the real-time impact of the tsunami. However, it's important to note that some of these videos are AI-generated, as confirmed by the Maui Police Department. Another misleading video, showing a rooftop swimming pool during an earthquake, was actually filmed in Bangkok on March 28, 2025, during a magnitude-7.7 earthquake in central Myanmar.
One of the most persistent rumours has been about Oprah Winfrey and her property in Maui, Hawaii. Claims that she refused to let people use her private road during the earthquake are misleading. In fact, the road in question, sometimes called "Oprah's Road" locally, is actually owned by Haleakala Ranch, not by Winfrey herself. She has an easement agreement allowing her to use and maintain the road, but the decision to open it to evacuees rested with the landowners and local authorities. The Maui Police Department confirmed that the road was open to traffic during the evacuation.
The earthquake has indeed caused tsunami waves, affecting areas as far away as Japan, Russia, and Hawaii. It has prompted evacuations across the Pacific, from Japan to Peru. Reports from The Asahi Shimbun and TBS News have confirmed these events.
However, claims that whales were stranded in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, possibly due to the tsunami, are false. Chiba prefectural police believe that the whales were beached the day before the tsunami and the events are unrelated. Mika Kuroda from the NPO Stranding Network Hokkaido also stated that there is no factual basis for suggestions that stranded whales are precursors for earthquakes.
It's crucial to verify information before sharing it, especially during times of crisis. Misinformation can cause unnecessary panic and confusion. Stay informed, stay safe.
America and Africa were not directly affected by the tsunami caused by the recent earthquake off Russia's east coast, as reports confirmed. Instead, news outlets like The Asahi Shimbun and TBS News in Asia were reporting on the impact on Japan, Russia, and Hawaii. On the other hand, social-media platforms were flooded with misleading videos, some of which were AI-generated, like the rooftop swimming pool video from Bangkok. In light of this, it's essential to fact-check information on entertainment sites and social media during times of crisis to prevent unnecessary panic and confusion.
