Mysuru, India — A video claiming to show escalators collapsing at the BM Habitat Mall and resulting in multiple fatalities has been circulating widely on social media. However, a closer examination reveals that the footage is not what it appears to be.
The viral clip is actually AI-generated and does not depict any real event. On September 8, 2025, a tragic incident did occur at the BM Habitat Mall, where a false ceiling on the fourth floor collapsed. In this accident, a technician named Sunil, who was removing an advertisement board without using safety equipment, fell through the ceiling alongside Chandru, a visitor attempting to help. Both individuals lost their lives due to this unfortunate incident.
Investigations into the September accident have led to the arrest of the mall’s building manager, Sridhar, for negligence. The four-story shopping center, which accommodates over 30 shops, has come under scrutiny for potential safety and maintenance issues. Despite the serious nature of this real incident, reports did not mention any escalator collapse, contradicting the claims made in the viral video.
To understand the origins of the misleading video, a reverse image search revealed that it had initially been uploaded on TikTok by a user known as ‘@motivatemove5,’ who specializes in creating and sharing mishap videos. The bio of this user indicates that their content is often generated using artificial intelligence.
Further analysis using AI detection tools confirmed that the video has a 99.9% likelihood of being AI-generated. This indicates that it was produced digitally rather than capturing an actual event that took place at the mall.
In light of these findings, it is essential to approach sensational claims critically and verify their authenticity. The misuse of AI technology to fabricate such scenarios poses a risk of spreading misinformation and causing unnecessary panic.
In an era where digital content can easily be manipulated, it is crucial for social media users to verify the sources of the information they consume and share. As technology continues to advance, the difference between reality and fabrication becomes increasingly difficult to discern.