A satellite image circulated online in recent days claiming to show mass graves in the city of El-Fasher has been proven to be misleading. The image, originally taken from Google Earth, was widely shared following reports of alleged mass killings at the end of October amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
However, satellite imagery analysts have confirmed that the picture is not recent and does not depict burial sites. Instead, the image shows a cluster of livestock, not human bodies or mass graves.
The clarification came during a fact-checking segment on France 24’s program “Truth or Fake”, where experts explained that the markings seen in the satellite photo are consistent with the movement and gathering patterns of cattle, not disturbed earth or burial trenches.
The episode underscores the growing spread of misinformation during the conflict in Sudan, where images and videos are frequently repurposed or misinterpreted to advance political narratives. Analysts cautioned the public to verify sources before sharing content, especially in contexts as sensitive as active conflict.
France 24, in a report aired as part of its fact-checking program “Truth or Fake”, revealed that a satellite image widely circulated on social media and claimed to show mass graves in the city of El-Fasher was misinterpreted.
The image spread rapidly in late October following reports of large-scale killings in the besieged city and was presented as evidence of a massacre allegedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces. However, according to satellite imagery specialists consulted by France 24, the image is not recent and does not depict burial sites. Instead, it shows a herd of livestock captured in a Google Earth satellite shot.
France 24 stated that it contacted the fact-checking expert involved, who confirmed that the shapes and shadow patterns in the image are consistent with animals, not graves. The expert emphasized the need to rely on verified sources and recent imagery with clear timestamps when documenting potential human rights violations.
This finding highlights the growing danger of misinformation during the conflict in Sudan, where misleading visual content can fuel tension, amplify emotional reactions, and distort the public’s understanding of events on the ground.
