A video of an elderly man being ‘rescued’ from a cave has taken the internet by storm, racking up a staggering 29 million views in just a few days. The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by an account called ‘Concerned Citizen,’ claimed the man was a remarkable 188 years old. The caption alongside the video, which shows the man walking with the assistance of two men, read: “This Indian man has just been found in a cave. It’s alleged he’s 188 years old. Insane.” However, the internet’s keen eye for truth quickly picked apart this claim.
Several reports surfaced, stating that the man in the video was not a 188-year-old, but a 110-year-old Hindu saint named ‘Siyaram Baba’ from Madhya Pradesh. While the original poster acknowledged the misinformation, others were quick to spread the debunked claim. A data verification group, D-intent data, labeled the video as ‘misleading’ on X, stating that influencers often fabricate stories for online attention. They pointed out the video’s true subject, Siyaram Baba, and highlighted the dangers of spreading unverified information online.
The account that initially shared the video later admitted to the exaggeration, expressing embarrassment over the misinformation they had spread. The incident underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it online, especially when it comes to viral content. While the internet can be a powerful tool for spreading awareness and sharing stories, it’s crucial to be discerning and to rely on credible sources for information.
