“Laurent Gbagbo dead 2024” : Former Ivorian president killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
  • Abidjan
  • Last updated on

Laurent Gbagbo is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax

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News of political figure Laurent Gbagbo’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the December 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the former Ivorian president is alive and well.

UPDATE 22/12/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Laurent Gbagbo death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the political figure’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Laurent Gbagbo’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Ivorian political figure’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (December 20, 2024), our beloved political figure Laurent Gbagbo passed away. Laurent Gbagbo was born on May 31, 1945 in Mama. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 79-year-old political figure and author was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Ivorian network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a political figure of Laurent Gbagbo's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (81%) of respondents think those Laurent Gbagbo death rumors are not funny anymore.

Laurent Gbagbo Death Hoax Dismissed Since Political figure Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (December 21) the political figure's reps officially confirmed that Laurent Gbagbo is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved political figure. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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