Chronology of Stray Kids Fans Disappearing in Saudi Arabia that Stirred Up Netizens on Social Media, Turns Out to be a Hoax

Kapanlagi.com - Stray Kids is scheduled to perform at Riyadh Season, the largest music festival in Saudi Arabia, which will be held on January 14, 2022. Unfortunately, the concert had to be postponed due to bad weather when Stray Kids fans had already filled the stadium.

According to the online discussion forum STAY (the term for Stray Kids fans), dozens of fans were reportedly missing after the concert postponement announcement due to random abductions.

Because many fans flew to Riyadh specifically to watch the concert, they faced transportation issues after the concert was postponed. As they tried to find out about the sudden change in circumstances, it was reported that many STAYs went "missing."

1. Netizens on Social Media Go Viral

search for missing Stray Kids fans (twitter.com)

Afterwards, dozens of tweets began circulating on the internet, providing information to the Twitter world regarding the missing person news. Information about gender, age, clothing, and other important details were shared through their tweets.

Due to the severity of the situation, Twitter users started doing what they could to help. Many offered their assistance in the form of real information, whether it be hotels for Stray Kids fans to take shelter or cafes and stores that should not be visited for safety reasons.

Furthermore, there were also warnings for STAY to keep their distance from strangers, including women.

2. Other Fandoms Get Involved

K-Pop fans help find Stray Kids fans (twitter.com)

As netizens provided help by doing what they could, other fandoms began to get involved in this issue by urging fellow fans to unite. Fans of BLACKPINK, ATEEZ, TREASURE, BTS, EXO, and others started spreading information about the ongoing situation.

3. Confession of 'Victims'

Delayed concert venue situation (twitter.com/TheSaudi_post)

After several hours since the terrifying situation began, the latest updates related to the safety of most missing fans started to emerge online. According to different Twitter users, the police, as well as the Stray Kids team, started to help address this situation.

A few hours later, Saudi Arabian fans returning from the venue revealed that the actual situation was not like what was spreading online. There is a circulating video showing that the police were assisting and protecting the fans.

The bus prepared by STAY helped many fangirls to safely arrive home. In the end, they insisted that the situation was far different from what was depicted on Twitter.

4. No Missing Fans

Clarification from The Saudi Post (twitter.com/TheSaudi_post)

A Saudi news site confirms that the kidnapping of fans is not true. It is also stated that those who continue to spread rumors will be prosecuted.

"There is no truth to what is circulating on social media about the case of harassment that occurred at a concert that was postponed before it started in Riyadh due to circumstances beyond our control, and anyone who spreads rumors that undermine this security effort will be held legally accountable," writes The Saudi Post.

5. Turns Out to Be a Hoax

Fictitious victims of the disappearance of Stray Kids fans (twitter.com)

Some fans who were reported missing were found safe, but there are also names that actually do not exist or even falsify their condition. The confusion that occurred after the concert was canceled seems to be the reason why many believe that their loved ones are missing. Thankfully, all fans managed to return safely.

(kpl/rsp)