Verified images show revellers with sparklers inside Swiss nightclubpublished at 11:54 GMT
11:54 GMT
Richard Irvine-Brown
BBC Verify journalist
Image source, X
BBC Verify has verified two photos showing lit sparklers attached to bottles inside Le Constellation nightclub in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.
The images are being shared online with claims they were taken before a fire broke out at the club on New Year’s Eve, killing at least 40 people. One image shows people holding several bottles in the air with lit sparklers attached and what appears to be flames in the ceiling.
We searched for previous versions of this image online and no copies existed before yesterday. There are several details in the photograph which match older photos of the interior of the nightclub, including the bar, the wall decoration and the pipework.
We ran the photo through four artificial intelligence-detection tools, none of which reported any AI-manipulation although one said the image had been edited.
The second image we looked at shows someone in a sleeveless black dress and crash helmet holding a bottle with a lit sparkler attached. We searched for previous versions online and no copies existed before yesterday.
Image source, X
Parts of a neon sign for Le Constel can be seen in the background, consistent with older photos from the club.
Checks using three AI-detection tools came back clear for AI-manipulation – but one said the photo was edited. Running it through a digital manipulation tool showed no evidence of manipulation.