A rumor went viral on social media claiming fuel shortage. Thimphu and other cities started witnessing long lines of vehicles and even people carrying containers lining up outside fuel pumps as a rumor spread that fuel would soon not be available.
(Screenshot from Facebook post)
(Screenshot from Facebook post)
Debunked Source
Fact Check
In order to verify the claim, we searched for keywords “Bhutan Fuel Crisis’ ‘ on google search engine and found a press release from the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Bhutan denying the rumors. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) explained that the two Indian principal companies, Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, supplying fuel to Bhutan have completed successful registration of import and export code at Land Custom Station at Jaigoan on 14th June 2022. The rumor started when fuel trucks were held up at Jaigaon customs due to some changes in the registration system for all Indian exporters and importers.
(Official press release from MoEA)
Source
Updates on Fuel Shortage Rumours
No fuel shortage: Oil distributors
Bureaucratic trade process in India triggers unnecessary fuel panic in Bhutan
Rating
Misinformation
Conclusion
Our fact-check confirmed that there was no fuel shortage in Bhutan. Rumors started when fuel supply trucks from India were held up at Jaigaon customs due to some changes in the registration system for all Indian exporters and importers.
ABCDE Framework-Based Analysis
| Actor | Independent accounts on Facebook are involved in spreading disinformation on social media. |
| Behavior | The false news of fuel shortage 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 of Bhutan and disinformation was mainly spread on Facebook. |
| Effect | Disinformation misled the masses and created panic. The Bhutanese government has issued a press release clarifying the situation. |