AI-generated image of rescued mine workers trapped in Uttarkashi tunnel goes viral

Many prominent people on social media and some media houses fell prey to the AI-generated image and published it as authentic.

Many people fell prey to an AI-generated pic of the rescued men from inside the tunnel who are seen holding the Tricolour.

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The nation heaved a sigh of relief on Tuesday as the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi were rescued on the 17th day after a mammoth rescue operation that lasted over 400 hours. The rescuers dug through 57 metres of debris – 12 of it manually – spanning a period of over two weeks, which involved repeated challenges and numerous plans.

The rescue operation was a test of resolve, grit and perseverance for those on both sides of the 57 metres of debris as the operation suffered one setback after another. In the final lap over the weekend, the drilling machine gave way, and 14 “rat-hole miners” dug through the last 12 metres and reached the trapped men.

As the nation celebrated the incredible rescue operation, many people fell prey to an AI-generated pic of the rescued men from inside the tunnel who are seen holding the Tricolour. A lot of media houses published the photo without verifying its authenticity.

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Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also shared the AI-generated image among the set of four photos he posted on X. “Celebrations & tears of joy fill the air as 41 workers emerge from the Silkyara tunnel, each step echoing their strength & determination. To those who waited for this moment, your spirit is our beacon. A personal thank to the relief workers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes,” he wrote.

Celebrations & tears of joy fill the air as 41 workers emerge from the Silkyara tunnel, each step echoing their strength & determination.
To those who waited for this moment, your spirit is our beacon.
A personal thank to the relief workers who worked tirelessly behind the… pic.twitter.com/6npkQt2c74

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 28, 2023

Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Alt News, also shared how many on social media, from BJP leader Tejinder Bagga to Ambassador of Israel to India Naor Gilon, used the AI generated image.

Why are many sharing AI generated image of #UttarakhandTunnelRescue operation. pic.twitter.com/28mBNUnrw8

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) November 28, 2023

At first glance, the photo shows trapped miners wearing helmets holding a ragged Tricolour. However, once you look closely, you would spot that almost everyone in the image has a slight squint in their eyes. The distorted image also has the watermark of Exclusive Minds.

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Exclusive Minds is an account on X that describes itself as “citizens’ collective fighting against misinformation and misleading content on social media”. The account posted several AI images showing the rescue operation with workers holding the Tricolour.

pic.twitter.com/8osZlcWPfd

— Exclusive Minds (@Exclusive_Minds) November 28, 2023

The men trapped inside the Uttarkashi tunnel came from different states, 15 from Jharkhand, eight from Uttar Pradesh, five each from Odisha and Bihar, three from West Bengal, two each from Uttarakhand and Assam, and one from Himachal Pradesh.

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