Viral Video Shows Anak Krakatau Volcano Eruption in Indonesia? Fact Check Reveals Truth
A video purporting to show a close-up of Anak Krakatau volcano erupting near a town has gone viral. LatestLY's fact-check reveals the claim is false. Anak Krakatau is located on an uninhabited island, making the presence of a town impossible.
A viral video claiming to show a close-up of Anak Krakatau volcano erupting in Indonesia, with a town visible nearby, is fake. Our investigation has found that the geographical reality of Anak Krakatau contradicts the visuals presented in the video.
The Claim Spreads
The video circulated widely across social media platforms, showing dramatic footage of a volcanic eruption with what appears to be a populated area in close proximity. Users shared the video, claiming it captured the terrifying moment Anak Krakatau erupted, generating significant engagement and concern among viewers. Anak Krakatau Volcano Erupts in Indonesia: Lava Spews, Booming Sounds Heard as Ash Soars 50,000 Feet (Videos).
Viral Video Showing Anak Krakatau Erupting in Indonesia Is Fake
🇮🇩 A very close-up shot captures the terrifying moment a volcano erupts in Indonesia.
Nature at its most destructive. pic.twitter.com/6XDsmjAxbk
— SilencedSirs◼️ (@SilentlySirs) September 7, 2026
The captions accompanying the video suggested that the eruption was recent and posed an immediate threat to a nearby town, amplifying the sense of urgency and danger.
Geographical Reality Contradicts Video
LatestLY's fact-checking team confirmed that the claim is entirely inconsistent with the known geography of Anak Krakatau. According to Wikipedia and Indonesia Tourism, Anak Krakatau is situated on an uninhabited island, part of the Krakatoa Archipelago in the Sunda Strait. There are no towns, settlements, or any populated areas on Anak Krakatau Island itself. Has PM Narendra Modi Decided To Shut Down Instagram in India? Fact Check Reveals Truth About Viral Reel.
While Anak Krakatau has a history of eruptions, with recent activity reported by WION and Firstpost, including lava fountains and ash plumes, any footage depicting a town immediately adjacent to the erupting volcano cannot be of Anak Krakatau. The absence of human habitation on the island directly refutes the visual narrative of the viral video.
Other Eruptions and AI Possibilities
It is possible that the viral video depicts another volcano located near a populated area, or it could be a fabricated video created using artificial intelligence or similar digital manipulation tools. AFP Fact Check previously debunked a similar claim involving Anak Krakatau, noting that footage from December 2018 captured the volcano days after it caused a deadly tsunami.
The LatestLY editorial research team stated, "Anak Krakatau Island, where Anak Krakatau volcano is located, is an uninhabited island, and no town like the one in this video exists on the island. It is possible that this is footage of another volcano, or a fake video created using AI or similar means."
Conclusion
The claim that a viral video shows a close-up of Anak Krakatau volcano erupting near a town is fake. Anak Krakatau is located on an uninhabited island, making the presence of a town in the immediate vicinity impossible.
Fact check
A viral video shows a very close-up shot of Anak Krakatau volcano erupting near a town in Indonesia.
The claim that a viral video shows a close-up of Anak Krakatau erupting near a town is fake, as the volcano is located on an uninhabited island.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 08, 2026 03:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
