Due to the global fuel crisis, the Bangladesh government has issued various instructions including shutting down petrol pumps for one day a week to save fuel in the country. A post has been widely spread through social media that 16 petrol pumps have been closed in Sylhet due to lack of fuel, and the rest are about to be closed.
Debunked Source
Fact-check
In order to investigate the claim, we performed a keyword search “Bangladesh shutdown petrol pump” on Google search engine. Keyword search revealed Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, on 18th July 2022 proposed scheduled load shedding, closure of business after 8 pm and to close petrol pumps one day a week.
(Screenshot from The Daily Star website)
Source
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/07/18/fuel-stations-to-remain-closed-one-a-week
Rating
Misinformation/ False Context
Conclusion
Our fact-check confirmed that the viral claim was shared with a false context. The Government of Bangladesh took measures to tackle the economic crisis. No petrol pumps were closed due to the fuel crisis.
ABCDE Framework-Based Analysis
| Actor | Independent accounts on Facebook are involved in spreading disinformation on social media. |
| Behavior | The false news of fuel crisis in the country was rumored. |
| Content | Social Media posts. |
| Degree | The content is being spread to misinform people, the target audience of the news was the general public and disinformation was mainly spread on Facebook. |
| Effect | Disinformation misled the masses and created panic. |