ALBAWABA - Social media users and Egyptian accounts were abuzz after leaked images and posts claiming a large fire at the Grand Egyptian Museum, just days after its official opening, Al Arabyia reported.
The widely circulated images showed flames erupting from the museum and entrance, while other photos showed a statue of King Ramses II burning in the museum's atrium.
Egyptians were saddened by the photos that went viral on social media. A person shared images on Facebook and wrote, "Breaking news: Reports of a fire at the Grand Egyptian Museum just days after its opening."
(Facebook)
In one of the images posted online, firefighters were spotted inside the museum, where fire was also seen, as they were trying to put out the fire which erupted in Ramesses II's statue.
Meanwhile, a source at the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities denied to local media the validity of the images and news circulating about the burning of the Grand Egyptian Museum, and stressed that all that is being said has no basis in truth and that the images are fake using artificial intelligence technology, with the aim of gaining views.
The Grand Egyptian Museum opened its doors to the public normally on November 1, amid continued high demand, effectively refuting all these rumors.
The source also suggested that the overwhelming news coverage of the Grand Egyptian Museum and the momentum generated after its spectacular opening last week led some to believe it was the perfect opportunity to generate views through dubious means.
