The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia has issued a formal and urgent warning to the public following the emergence of a sophisticated disinformation campaign currently circulating on the social media platform X. According to ministry officials, unknown actors have disseminated a fabricated video that masquerades as an official communication from the Seismic Protection Territorial Service. This deceptive content falsely asserts that a high-magnitude earthquake, specifically calculated at 7.4 on the Richter scale, is expected to strike the Kotayk Province within the coming weeks.
The ministry’s press release highlights the malicious nature of this campaign, noting that the creators of the video went to great lengths to lend the false alert an air of institutional legitimacy. By misappropriating the official branding and logos of the Seismic Protection Territorial Service, the perpetrators have successfully misled a portion of the public. Furthermore, the video includes a falsified reference to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), intentionally leveraging the reputation of a globally recognized scientific organization to instill fear and credibility in the minds of viewers.
In light of these developments, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has categorically denied the existence of any such warning. Officials emphasized that no alert concerning a 7.4 magnitude earthquake—or any other seismic event of that magnitude—has been generated or issued by their agency. The ministry is urging citizens to remain calm and to disregard the video, labeling the content as a deliberate attempt to incite panic and disrupt public order through the spread of scientifically baseless rumors.
To ensure public safety and transparency, the government has provided clear details regarding its actual operational standards. The Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that the Seismic Protection Territorial Service operates under a rigorous protocol, which includes 24-hour, round-the-clock seismic hazard monitoring. This continuous surveillance is managed by a team of professional specialists who analyze real-time data to assess the seismic stability of the region and monitor for genuine geophysical anomalies.
The ministry further underscored that all legitimate communications regarding seismic activity are published through established, verified government channels. Any official assessment, warning, or statement regarding potential danger is released exclusively through the Ministry’s own press office and authorized departmental platforms. These updates are intended to provide the public with accurate, evidence-based data rather than speculative or alarmist projections designed to circulate on social media feeds.
Finally, the ministry is calling on the public to exercise high levels of skepticism when encountering sensationalist claims about natural disasters on social media platforms. By verifying information through official government sources before sharing it, citizens can play a vital role in curbing the spread of dangerous disinformation. The ministry continues to monitor the situation closely and has indicated that it remains committed to providing timely and appropriate updates on seismic activity as valid scientific data warrants.