Google searches surge after fake aquarium collapse video goes viral

A viral video claiming to show a catastrophic aquarium collapse in California that killed more than 50 people is fake.

There have been no verified reports of such an incident in the state, and no law enforcement or emergency agencies have issued alerts or statements related to an aquarium disaster.

The video, which shows a large indoor tank bursting and flooding a public space, quickly spread across social media platforms. It also drove a surge in Google searches on Wednesday as users sought to verify the footage’s authenticity, according to Google Trends.

Many social media users questioned whether the clip was artificially generated, with some pointing out the use of AI-generated imagery.

Though the video is fictional, it may have been inspired by a real event.

In December 2022, Berlin’s AquaDom aquarium, a 46-foot-tall cylindrical tank inside a Radisson Collection Hotel, ruptured, injuring two people and releasing nearly 264,000 gallons of water and 1,500 tropical fish into the surrounding area, according to The Associated Press.