Twitter reactions to Riyadh blast, a mix of solidarity and speculation
Thursday, 01 November 2012
The explosion of an oil truck, after it crashed into a
concrete flyover east of the Saudi capital, killed 22 people and injured
at least 111. (AFP)
Saudi and expat tweeps with their #RiyadhExplosion hashtag showed
their solidarity with the victims of an explosion that rocked the Saudi
capital Riyadh on Thursday.
The explosion caused when an oil truck crashed into a concrete flyover east of the Saudi capital killed 22 people and injured at least 111, an Al Arabiya correspondent reported Thursday.
“Praying for people of Riyadh today because of this horrible tragedy,” one tweep said.
“To those heading to see #RiyadhExplosion. Stop. It’s both dangerous and slows down rescue. Instead, head to hospitals & donate blood,” another tweep advised.
While some expressed their support to the victims, other tweeps sounded the alarm over looters taking advantage of the situation.
“During the unfortunate #RiyadhExplosion, a group of unemployed Saudis were busy collecting the “spoils” of the explosion!” posted a furious user, adding a link of a YouTube video.
The explosion caused when an oil truck crashed into a concrete flyover east of the Saudi capital killed 22 people and injured at least 111, an Al Arabiya correspondent reported Thursday.
“Praying for people of Riyadh today because of this horrible tragedy,” one tweep said.
“To those heading to see #RiyadhExplosion. Stop. It’s both dangerous and slows down rescue. Instead, head to hospitals & donate blood,” another tweep advised.
While some expressed their support to the victims, other tweeps sounded the alarm over looters taking advantage of the situation.
“During the unfortunate #RiyadhExplosion, a group of unemployed Saudis were busy collecting the “spoils” of the explosion!” posted a furious user, adding a link of a YouTube video.
Witness accounts so far suggested
that the fuel truck exploded in a traffic accident under a bridge but
some suspicious tweeps mulled “terrorism” as reason.
“Whatever happened in Riyadh this morning, photos suggest something much more serious than a gas truck explosion. #RiyadhExplosion,” one said, while another tweep went as far as comparing the explosion to the 9-11 attacks in the United States. “A single gas-tanker truck? More like a mini-nuke. 11/1/2012 #RiyadhExplosion.”
“Whatever happened in Riyadh this morning, photos suggest something much more serious than a gas truck explosion. #RiyadhExplosion,” one said, while another tweep went as far as comparing the explosion to the 9-11 attacks in the United States. “A single gas-tanker truck? More like a mini-nuke. 11/1/2012 #RiyadhExplosion.”
Pictures and videos of
unidentified dead bodies flooded the social media platform, compelling
one tweep to ask fellow twitter users to stop.
“Please guys be considerate & stop sharing photos of the victims! It’s inappropriate. It’s heartbreaking for their families.”
One video posted showed a throng of people attempting to cover one slain victim with white cloth.
“Please guys be considerate & stop sharing photos of the victims! It’s inappropriate. It’s heartbreaking for their families.”
One video posted showed a throng of people attempting to cover one slain victim with white cloth.
Labels: Chaos, Misadventure, Saudi Arabia, Security, Tragedy
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, November 01, 2012
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