Guangxi police deny 'many bodies' flood rumor, Chinese netizens doubt clarification

Guangxi police have officially denied circulating rumors claiming that numerous bodies were swept downstream following a reservoir breach in Hengzhou city. The rumors, which spread rapidly through social media, alleged that many bodies, including those of children and the elderly, were carried away by floodwaters after the Liulan Reservoir collapsed on June 6 due to heavy rains.

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This is a traditional skill to silence people.

Authorities investigated the origin of the "many bodies" message and identified a resident named Huang who had spread the information out of anxiety while searching for his family. Police stated that Huang has since received "criticism and education" and has "actively donated" to aid disaster victims. The police emphasized that the claims of numerous fatalities are "false information."

However, the official clarification has been met with widespread skepticism among Chinese netizens. Many expressed disbelief, with comments like "This is a traditional skill to silence people" and "So it seems it's true." Some users claimed to have seen videos showing multiple people being swept away, with one Weibo user recalling the 2021 Zhengzhou floods where the official death toll of 398 was widely doubted.

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So it seems it's true.

The incident highlights a recurring tension between official statements and public trust in China, particularly following natural disasters. The skepticism reflects a broader concern that authorities may downplay or conceal the true extent of casualties during emergencies, a sentiment amplified by past events where official figures were questioned.

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I saw many videos, and indeed many people were swept away.