DUBAI: A viral video purportedly depicting the Burj Khalifa engulfed in flames amid missile attacks has been confirmed as false. The video, which circulated widely on social media, has been flagged by an online detection tool that rated it 99.9% likely to be AI-generated content. Reports clarify that while there were missile attacks in the region, the iconic skyscraper itself was not struck.

The claim originated from an account that falsely stated, "We fired 1,800 missiles at the Burj Khalifa." However, investigations revealed that there were indeed explosions related to retaliatory actions from Iran, but news sources confirm that the Burj Khalifa remained untouched. Only the Burj Al Arab hotel sustained damage in earlier attacks, leading to confusion regarding the status of other prominent landmarks.

Furthermore, thorough searches conducted by fact-checking organizations such as Lead Stories and Full Fact failed to uncover any credible reports linking the Burj Khalifa to missile damage. The lack of substantial news coverage regarding the skyscraper's alleged destruction suggests that had it been hit, it would have been a major story across news outlets.

This misinformation poses a potential threat not only to public perception but also to the safety of residents and tourists in Dubai, who could be alarmed by false news. As the situation unfolds, it's critical for individuals to rely on verified information from credible sources.