Fact Check: Does viral image show bodies of people killed by coronavirus in China? Here’s the truth

The claim shared with the image is fake.

Updated on: Feb 5, 2020, 17:59:16 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By Trisha Sengupta

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A picture of people lying on the ground is being shared with the same claim. The posts circulating claim that the image shows bodies of those who died from coronavirus in China. Though written in different languages, the posts have the same claim along with the image. The claim, however, is false.

The picture is being shared with an untrue claim. (Screengrab)

“Satellite photo in China. More people are dying, the antidote has not been discovered, no soldiers from any troops who are able to prevent this virus. Is this a punishment?” reads one of the captions when translated from Indonesian.

Here are some more posts shared on Facebook.

A reverse image search on Yandex suggests that the picture was shared back in 2014 by Reuters and was captured in Germany. Hence, it is neither recent nor shot in China.

The image is actually a part of an art project and it shows people lying down in a pedestrian zone in Germany in the remembrance of the 528 victims of the Katzbach Nazi concentration camp.

So, the claim that the picture shows people who died because of coronavirus is false.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta
Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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