Police Confirm Viral Video of Tiger Attack in Garut is a Hoax

The Garut Resort Police have confirmed that there was no tiger or wild animal that descended a mountain and attacked residents in the Garut Regency area of West Java, contrary to the narrative in a video circulating on social media. “The information regarding a tiger mauling three residents in the Mount Papandayan area is a hoax,” said Head of Public Relations for the Garut Police, Ipda Susilo Adhi, in Garut on Tuesday. He stated that the Garut Resort Police received the circulated video and narrative on social media and WhatsApp chain messages concerning three residents being mauled by a tiger in the Mount Papandayan area, which caused public unrest. The circulated video, he said, was then investigated by the police and its truth could not be verified as occurring in Garut. The investigation revealed it was an old video related to an explosion incident in the Cipatat area of West Bandung Regency. “The circulating video is not an incident in Garut, but rather victims of an explosion event in the Cipatat area, West Bandung Regency,” he said. He stated that the video circulating among the public has no connection to the Garut area and was not caused by a wild animal attack, as narrated by the claim of a tiger descending a mountain. The police have also confirmed with the management of the Mount Papandayan tourist area, and it has been verified that no such incident occurred, so the public need not worry. “We urge the public not to easily believe or disseminate information whose truth cannot yet be verified,” he said. He explained that the actual narrative of the circulating video relates to residents who found an active mortar shell. Unaware of the danger, the victims opened the projectile by striking it, causing an explosion. He appealed to the public not to immediately share videos, photos, or writings whose sources and truth cannot be accounted for. If information cannot yet be proven true, he said, the public should not share it with others, as it will only cause further panic and unrest in the community. “The public is urged to immediately report to the police if they find information suspected of being a hoax, so that clarification and further investigation can be carried out,” he said.