QuickCheck: Did 16 people drown in Telemong, Bentong?

A viral message circulated on WhatsApp and Facebook showing a firefighter sitting on a stool with a bandage wrapped over his shoulder claims that 16 people are feared to have drowned in Telemong, near Bentong.

Did this happen as claimed?

Verdict:

False

In a statement reported by Bernama, Pahang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director (operations) Ismail Abdul Ghani confirmed that there was no such incident and did not rule out the possibility that some irresponsible individuals were using old photographs unrelated to the current floods to spread rumours.

Meanwhile, Bentong district police chief Supt Zaihan Mohd Kahar said that he hoped the public would stop spreading fake news on social media to avoid creating confusion and anxiety among the people.