"The new year got off to an anticlimactic start for hundreds of people in Birmingham who were tricked into attending a non-existent New Year's Eve fireworks display. Again. Crowds of revellers gathered in the city's Centenary Square, hoping to catch a glimpse of a pyrotechnics display to welcome in 2026. They were left disappointed, however, after they discovered no display would be taking place and that they had fallen victim to false news spread online."
"West Midlands police had said on Tuesday that there were no official firework displays or city-organised events happening in Birmingham city centre on New Year's Eve and blamed the spread of rumours online every year about big celebrations in the city. Unfortunately, these false claims often lead to confusion and disappointment, the force said in a statement. Despite the warnings, footage shared on social media showed a large group of people gathered in front of the ferris wheel at Centenary Square,"
Residents and visitors converged on Centenary Square in Birmingham expecting a New Year's Eve fireworks display that did not exist. An online advertisement promised a dazzling show with music, food vendors and performances, echoing a similar hoax that drew thousands last year. West Midlands Police warned there were no official city-centre events and attributed recurring rumours to online misinformation. Despite warnings, footage showed crowds gathering by the ferris wheel. Authorities cautioned that fake-event claims cause confusion, disappointment and create safety risks when large numbers assemble unexpectedly, and noted similar AI-generated images have misled tourists elsewhere.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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