Paris fire image confirmed AI-generated

A viral image showing Paris engulfed in flames has been confirmed to be artificially generated. The image depicted the city’s skyline shrouded in smoke, with the Eiffel Tower at its center, and was posted on Instagram with the caption "Paris 17/10/2026. #civilwar #ww3," referencing the October 17 mobilization against the cost of living.

AI tools identify image as fake

Tools such as InVID-WeVerify, developed by AFP, and SynthID Detector, developed by Google, confirmed a high probability that the image was created using artificial intelligence. The image was specifically created using OpenAI's AI. Visual discrepancies, such as the absence of the Seine River and recognizable buildings, were also noted.

Author’s identity unconfirmed

The author of the post, who identified himself as a commander of an A320 aircraft, has not confirmed this identity. He previously posted another AI-generated image of Paris on October 14. The post has been shared multiple times, with some users expressing concern over the potential for misinformation regarding the scale of violence and damage during the October 17 mobilization.

Mobilization leads to business damage

According to the Minister of Commerce, Serge Papin, at least 3,000 businesses were affected by vandalism or looting during the events of October 17.