In a media statement, the department said it was deeply concerned about the spread of misinformation in the wake of the tragedy. “It is deeply unfortunate that some individuals choose to exploit a tragic incident to spread misinformation,” it said. Parents in a local WhatsApp group cautioned residents against sharing the images, warning of the emotional harm such posts could cause.
One parent said: “Residents, it is said that these pics are not that of deceased children. Can we stop circulating these things? Imagine seeing a picture of your well, still living child on a poster of condolences.” This is AI-generated.
Please refrain from sending false information. These are not the kids who lost their lives today. Can we please be sensitive to the matter at hand Another parent said: “This is AI-generated.
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Can we please be sensitive to the matter at hand.” The department said the circulation of fabricated content was causing unnecessary distress and confusion at a time when families were grieving. “These fabricated messages cause unnecessary harm, fuel confusion during a sensitive time, and distract from the real work of supporting affected families and providing critical care to survivors,” it said. “We appeal to the public to verify information through official government communication channels and to refrain from amplifying false content.
Let us work together to protect the dignity of the victims and ensure accurate information reaches our communities.” The department dispelled unverified reports suggesting that the number of fatalities from the Vanderbijlpark crash had risen to 14. “The department reiterates that the confirmed number of learners who tragically lost their lives and were collected from the sceneremains at 12, as reported yesterday.” The spread of unconfirmed figures is compounding the pain of affected families, the department warned. “While moments of crisis can often lead to speculation, the spread of unconfirmed figures and misinformation is causing unnecessary harm. Such inaccuracies fuel confusion at a sensitive time and divert attention from the critical work of supporting affected families and providing medical care to survivors.”
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