Claim: A video shows people running away in panic because of strong winds brought by Tropical Storm Dante (Francisco).
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The video, posted on July 21, has already received 730,000 views, 5,400 reactions, 906 comments, and 795 shares as of writing.
The video shows a tent being blown away by strong winds, while people can be seen running away. Text on the video reads, “[Bagyo] Dante niabot na (Storm Dante is approaching).”
Facebook users in the comment section expressed alarm at the footage. At the time of the video’s posting, two low pressure areas (LPAs) were being monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
The account that posted the clip did not state when and where the video was taken.
The facts: The video shows strong winds in Vietnam, not the effects of Tropical Storm Dante in the Philippines.
Vietnam’s online media outlet, Vietnamnet.vn, reported on July 21, 2025, that the incident happened at a party in Tan Thanh Dong commune in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. According to the news outlet, the video shows the moment guests ran away in panic because strong winds destroyed the party venue.
The original video on TikTok was also posted on July 20, 2025. At the time, Dante was still an LPA in the PAR. It developed into a tropical depression on July 22 and intensified into a tropical storm on July 23.
Weather update: According to the 5 pm bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on July 24, Tropical Storm Dante has exited the PAR.
Meanwhile, another tropical cyclone, Typhoon Emong (Co-may), remains slow-moving over the coastal waters west of Pangasinan. According to the weather bureau, Emong is forecast to speed up and make landfall or pass very close to northwestern Pangasinan Thursday evening. The typhoon may also make landfall in La Union or Ilocos Sur late Thursday or Friday morning.
Dante and Emong are the fourth and fifth tropical cyclones to enter the PAR this year. The two cyclones follow Severe Tropical Storm Crising (Wipha), which exited PAR on July 19 and made landfall in Vietnam on July 22.
Previous fact checks: Rappler has previously debunked similar false claims about flooding and storms in the Philippines:
- FACT CHECK: No 6 tropical cyclones entering PH on July 23, 2025
- FACT CHECK: 2022 photo misrepresented as flood in Bicol due to Kristine
- FACT CHECK: Landslides, floods in Davao Region not due to storm
- FACT CHECK: Wind speed not sole factor in determining degree of storm damage
- FACT CHECK: Video of Brazil flood misrepresented as Kristine’s impact in Bicol
For legitimate weather updates, visit PAGASA’s official website, X (formerly Twitter) page, and YouTube channel. Updates can also be found on Rappler’s Philippine weather page. – Angelee Kaye Abelinde/Rappler.com
Angelee Kaye Abelinde is a student journalist based in Naga City, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024.
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