FACT CHECK: Did CERN Scientists Say They ‘Accidentally Ended The World’ In 2012?

A post shared on Threads claims scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) have said they “accidentally ended the world in 2012.”

Post by @aleksander1441

View on Threads

Verdict: False

The screenshot has been taken out of context. It comes from a website that identifies itself as satirical.

Fact Check: 

The public now has access to 65 TB of data from CERN’s ATLAS experiment, the first ATLAS release of its size, according to Phys.org. The data is from over a two year period and includes a guide, according to the outlet.

The Threads post purports that CERN admitted to ending the world in 2012. The post shows a screenshot appearing to show a news article.

Its headline reads, “‘Sorry, But We Accidentally Ended The World In 2012’ Admits CERN Scientists.” A photo appears to show a CERN meeting, banners in the background reading “CERN Higgs search update 04.07.2012.”

Underneath this is a sub headline that reads, “SCIENTISTS at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, have admitted today to ending the world as we know it back in 2012, while performing experiments into the Higgs boson particle, WWN can confirm.”

The post is inaccurate, however. There are no credible news reports about Freeman making such an announcement. Additionally, the screenshot was taken from a site called Waterford Whispers News. The site contains a disclaimer saying that Waterford Whispers News is “a satirical newspaper.”  (RELATED: Video Shows Opening Ceremony For Swiss Tunnel, Not CERN)

Check Your Fact reached out to a CERN spokesperson for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received. 

This is not the first time misinformation involving CERN has gone viral. Check Your Fact previously debunked a video claiming to show a demonic illustration on the floor of the CERN lobby.