Police investigate person spreading rumors of plane crash near Noi Bai

Hanoi authorities denied information that a plane crashed in a field, saying they are searching for the person who posted the misleading photo.

Personal accounts post false information on social media about the plane crash at Noi Bai.

On the morning of July 21, the High-Tech Crime Prevention Police Department (Hanoi Police) said they were verifying the person spreading rumors on social media about the plane crash at Noi Bai.

The investigation agency assessed that the above false information affected flight safety operations, the reputation of Noi Bai Airport and created anxiety among the public.

A day earlier, a social media account posted a photoa plane in a field, surrounded by fire trucks and people,with comments:“The rain was so heavy that the plane crashed... It was terrible... Noi Bai”.

The information spread a few minutes later, many people were worried.

On the afternoon of July 20, authorities denied the above information, saying that this was an image of an aviation emergency drill that had been conducted in advance.

A lawyer said that if there is enough basis for criminal prosecution, those who spread false information will be charged with slander, with a penalty of3 months to 7 years in prison. In case of administrative sanctions, violators will be fined20-30 million VND, according toDecree 174/2013 on the act of "providing false information, slander, distortion, or insulting the reputation of agencies, organizations, and the honor and dignity of individuals on electronic information pages and general electronic information pages".

According to VNE