What happened during the Sumatra floods?

Heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides in Sumatra, Indonesia, leading to widespread displacement and fatalities.

Where did the viral bridge collapse video actually occur?

The video of the bridge collapse was filmed in central Vietnam on November 20, not in Sumatra, Indonesia.

What is the impact of climate change on Asian monsoons?

Climate change is making seasonal monsoons in Asia more erratic, unpredictable, and deadly.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Sumatra Floods: Bridge Collapse Video Misled Millions

Sumatra Floods: Bridge Collapse Video Misled Millions

8 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A viral video of a bridge collapse was wrongly attributed to Indonesian floods.
The footage actually depicts a bridge destroyed in Vietnam on November 20.
Thousands displaced and nearly a thousand dead in actual Sumatra floods.

Sumatra Floods: Bridge Collapse Video Misled Millions

Devastating flash floods and landslides struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, displacing over 800,000 people and claiming at least 950 lives, with 274 still missing. Amidst this crisis, a video circulating online falsely claimed to show a bridge collapse in Sibolga city, Sumatra. However, investigations revealed the footage is from central Vietnam, where a suspension bridge was washed away by floodwaters on November 20.

The viral video, shared widely on social media platforms, superimposed text suggesting it captured an event in Indonesia. This misinformation surfaced as Sumatra grappled with immense destruction, with victims criticizing the government's response. The extreme weather systems affecting Indonesia were part of a broader pattern across Asia, exacerbated by climate change and deforestation.