Viral Video Sparks Debate: '188-Year-Old' Man Allegedly Rescued in Bengaluru

 

A video circulating on social media claims to show the rescue of a "188-year-old man" from a cave near Bengaluru. Shared on X by the account 'Concerned Citizen,' the video has quickly gained widespread attention, with close to 29 million views. The post accompanying the clip reads: "This Indian man has just been found in a cave. It's claimed he's 188 years old. Incredible."

In the 24-second video, two individuals are seen helping the elderly man walk. The man, who has a hunched back and a white beard, is also seen using a walking stick for extra support.

Watch the video here:

🇮🇳 This Indian Man has just been found in a cave.

It’s alleged he’s 188 years old. Insane. pic.twitter.com/a7DgyFWeY6

— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) October 3, 2024  

Although the video gained widespread attention, the claim was quickly questioned.

Several reports indicate that the man in the video is actually 110 years old and is a Hindu saint from Madhya Pradesh.

X also added a disclaimer to the post, stating that the claimed age might not be correct. "Misinformation! The elderly man is a Hindu saint named 'Siyaram Baba,' who resides in Madhya Pradesh, India. Reports suggest he is approximately 110 years old," the X note read.

The platform also cited a Navbharat Times article from July 2, 2024, which uncovered the real identity of the man in the video. According to the report, the elderly man is Siyaram Baba, aged 109, a well-known figure in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh.

Additionally, the data verification group D-Intent Data has flagged the viral video as misleading. In a post on X, D-Intent Data wrote, "ANALYSIS: Misleading. FACT: A video showing people assisting an elderly man is being circulated with the false claim that a 188-year-old Indian man was just discovered in a cave. In reality, the man is a Hindu saint named 'Siyaram Baba,' who resides in Madhya Pradesh, India.

 

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ANALYSIS: Misleading

FACT: A video of some people helping an elderly individual has been shared, claiming that a 188-year-old Indian Man has just been found in a cave. The fact is that these claims are not true. The elderly man is a Saint named 'Siyaram Baba', (1/2) pic.twitter.com/HNak3vUrIM

— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) October 3, 2024

The X post further cautioned that "Influencers are spreading videos with fabricated claims to gain attention on social media.