Hoax tsunami message storms social media
With the recent mini-quake and closed beaches, rumour of a tsunami seemed plausible to many.
A hoax message warning of a tsunami heading for Durban circulating on social media yesterday caused concern among some and alarm among others.
A message alert was circulated via Watsapp and BBM yesterday from the “South African National Government of Climates” stating a tsunami was on its way to Durban.
The message warned that “it has been confirmed that at approximately 18h00 GMT tonight there is going to be a magnitude of a TSUNAMI with waves hitting the coastline of Durban followed by hitting the Wild Coast, Port Shepstone and stretching as far as Port St Johns. Everyone around these areas, please be on high alert as waves are expected to be as high as 9 meters and stretching far out ashore. Beaches are currently being closed.”
While the beaches were closed yesterday due to the high swell and the strong current, it had nothing to do with a looming tsunami.
Although the message appeared to be sent from the South Coast Sun, the newspaper immediately denied allegations and said the message was a hoax.
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