A recent TikTok video claiming to show a devastating earthquake in Senegal has been debunked as fake by PesaCheck, a fact-checking initiative. The video, posted on September 3, 2026, shows a building collapsing, causing a massive cloud of dust and debris. The footage is accompanied by a voiceover in Wolof, claiming that an earthquake has struck. However, a thorough investigation by PesaCheck has revealed that the video is entirely fabricated.
PesaCheck conducted a reverse image search using a screenshot from the video, which yielded no results confirming the authenticity of the footage. Instead, the search results showed various activities in Dakar, including environmental management and construction projects. Further analysis using Google Maps revealed that the video was likely recorded in the Parcelles Assainies area of Dakar. A keyword "SMK" visible in the video helped PesaCheck pinpoint the location.
An analysis of the video using Sight Engine, a content verification tool, revealed that the footage was generated by artificial intelligence with a 98% probability. The analysis also highlighted several inconsistencies, including the implausible collapse of a building without causing significant damage and the lack of panic among bystanders. On September 9, 2026, PesaCheck observed no damage or destruction in the area supposedly affected by the earthquake.
A search on Google using keywords "earthquake in Senegal" revealed no reports of a recent tectonic earthquake in the region on September 4, 2026. According to experts, Senegal is considered a low-risk zone for earthquakes, with the probability of a destructive earthquake occurring in Dakar or elsewhere in the country estimated to be less than 2% over a 50-year period.
This is not the first instance of a geological incident being misreported in Senegal. On August 6, 2026, a large crack appeared near the villages of Tawfekh and Khoundioul in the Louga region. However, experts attributed the fissure to severe erosion caused by heavy rainfall rather than seismic activity.
PesaCheck is part of a larger effort to combat misinformation on social media platforms. The organization partners with Facebook and other platforms to fact-check content and provide accurate information to the public. PesaCheck's work is crucial in helping to distinguish between fact and fiction in the digital age.
The fact-checking initiative was carried out by Ibrahima Olou Ndiaye and edited by Josaphat Finogbé. The article was approved for publication by Doreen Wainainah, the editor-in-chief of PesaCheck. The organization aims to promote transparency and accountability in public discourse, particularly in the realm of public finances and development-related issues.
Key points
- The video of a purported earthquake in Senegal was generated by artificial intelligence and is entirely fake.
- Senegal is considered a low-risk zone for earthquakes, with a less than 2% probability of a destructive earthquake occurring over a 50-year period.
- PesaCheck is a fact-checking initiative that partners with social media platforms to combat misinformation and promote transparency in public discourse.
