Earthquake images from Haiti, Nepal, and Myanmar wrongly attributed to Bangladesh tremor

Following a 5.5-magnitude earthquake near Dhaka, Bangladesh on November 21, 2025, multiple images circulated online claiming to depict buildings damaged by the tremor. In reality, these photographs were from previous earthquakes in Nepal (April 2015), Haiti (August 2021), and Myanmar (March 2025), documented in news reports at the time.

One Facebook post shared on November 21 showed a partially collapsed two-story building with a Bengali caption reading, "Buildings damaged in the earthquake at North Badda." This post was shared over 3,200 times. Another post on the same day displayed an aerial view of damaged buildings, also claiming the scene was in Dhaka.

Additional images circulated in a Facebook post with a caption stating, "Today's earthquake has caused the collapse of a garment factory building in Sreepur, Gazipur. Hundreds of people have died and many workers have been seriously injured." These images were also shared widely on other social media platforms following the tremor, which resulted in at least 10 deaths and over 300 injuries. Minor tremors hit the country the following day, causing widespread panic among Bangladesh's 170 million residents.

Despite the circulation of these photos, they did not show damage from the November 21 quake. The earthquake caused some destruction, including damage to at least 14 buildings and a fire at a power station, but the images were from different countries past disasters.

Reverse image searches revealed the origins of the misleading images:

• The first image had been used in an Al Jazeera report on August 14, 2021, depicting the aftermath of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Haiti. The photo, credited to the Associated Press (AP), shows collapsed buildings in Les Cayes. Haitian authorities reported more than 2,000 deaths and nearly 600,000 people affected.
• The second image appeared as a thumbnail for a YouTube video on the verified Storyful channel on April 30, 2015, showing drone footage of the Nepal earthquake, which killed almost 9,000 people and left millions homeless. The Guardian also published photos of the same buildings on the day of the quake.
• The third image originated from the Indian news site Manatelegu in a March 29, 2025 report about a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar that killed nearly 3,800 people. The same photos were shared on The Guwahati Times Instagram account on March 28, 2025.

Reuters captured the buildings from multiple angles in Mandalay, Myanmar, and AFP has previously debunked posts that misrepresented old images and videos of natural disasters.

Author's Commentary: The Dangers of Misinformation Post-Earthquake

The recent 5.5-magnitude earthquake near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 21, 2025, serves as a critical reminder of the challenges posed by misinformation in the digital age. In the wake of the tremor, multiple misleading images circulated across social media, claiming to show the destruction caused by the quake. However, these images were not from the event in question. They were, in fact, from past disasters in Nepal, Haiti, and Myanmar.

The spread of these images demonstrates how easily misinformation can amplify panic and confusion. For instance, a Facebook post showcasing a collapsed building in North Badda quickly gained traction, amassing over 3,200 shares. Similarly, another post falsely reported hundreds of deaths in Gazipur, misleading many into thinking the situation was far worse than it was. While the earthquake caused real damage, including 10 deaths and over 300 injuries, these exaggerated claims only hindered the ability of the public and authorities to respond effectively.

Social media platforms, with their rapid dissemination of content, have a crucial responsibility to implement better fact-checking measures. Reverse image searches, as conducted in this case, easily debunked the falsehoods, but many people still believed the misleading posts. This situation highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing, especially during times of crisis when emotions can cloud judgment.

As we reflect on these events, it is evident that the speed and scale at which misinformation spreads online are alarming. Moving forward, greater efforts should be made by both social media companies and users to ensure that only accurate, verified information is shared. In times of disaster, the truth is not just important for understanding the severity of the situation—it can save lives.

Sources:

• Haiti, Nepal and Myanmar earthquake images misrepresented as showing Bangladesh tremor