A Facebook post by "Petit Centro" falsely claimed that 18 people died in floods in Bangui, Central African Republic, between October 25-28, 2026. The post, which has been shared 112 times, accused President Touadéra of changing his strategy from causing accidents to causing deaths during rains. However, fact-checking by #StopATènè revealed that the actual death toll was 3. The floods, caused by heavy rainfall, resulted in widespread destruction and displacement in the capital city.
The floods in Bangui were widely reported by local media, including Radio Ndeke Luka and RJDH. On October 25, 2026, a 11-year-old child's body was found in a canal in the Galabadja 4 neighborhood. Local authorities confirmed the incident and reported dozens of destroyed homes and hundreds of people left without shelter. Three days later, on October 28, new floods hit Bangui, killing 2 more people and leaving hundreds without homes.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Action conducted a field assessment and reported 3 deaths and over 2000 people displaced due to the floods. This information was corroborated by Radio Ndeke Luka on November 4, 2026. Despite thorough verification, no other sources reported a death toll of 18, as claimed by Petit Centro. The Ministry's report was based on data collected from the field by media outlets and government agencies.
The false claim by Petit Centro was flagged by #StopATènè, a cell dedicated to combating disinformation, rumors, and hate speech. The cell verified information from reliable sources, including the Ministry of Humanitarian Action, Radio Ndeke Luka, and RJDH. These sources consistently reported a death toll of 3, not 18.
The floods in Bangui were part of a larger climate disturbance affecting the Central African Republic. The capital city experienced severe rainfall and flooding, resulting in significant damage and displacement. Local media and authorities worked to document and respond to the crisis.
The incident highlights the importance of verifying information, especially in times of crisis. Social media posts can spread misinformation quickly, causing unnecessary panic and confusion. Fact-checking by #StopATènè helped to correct the record and provide accurate information to the public.
In conclusion, the actual death toll from the floods in Bangui, Central African Republic, was 3, not 18. The false claim by Petit Centro was debunked by #StopATènè, which verified information from reliable sources. This incident underscores the need for accurate reporting and verification, especially in times of crisis.
Key points
- The death toll from the floods in Bangui, Central African Republic, was 3, not 18.
- The false claim was made by a Facebook post from "Petit Centro" and was shared 112 times.
- #StopATènè verified information from reliable sources, including the Ministry of Humanitarian Action and local media outlets.
