Baltimore bridge collapse death toll Video on Reddit
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on March 26th, 2024 was a tragic incident. The bridge was struck by the container ship Dali, bound for Sri Lanka from the Port of Baltimore, around 1:30 AM. A video claiming an explosion circulated on Reddit, but this was misinformation.
The Singapore-flagged vessel Dali lost power and struck one of the bridge’s supports while leaving Baltimore harbor. This enabled authorities to divert traffic before the entire 1.6 mile bridge spanning the Patapsco River collapsed.
Witness video shows aftermath of Baltimore bridge collapse https://t.co/uG7EzDH2BG
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 26, 2024
Six construction workers from Brawner Builders, a Maryland construction company, were reported missing and presumed deceased after the incident. Rescue teams from the U.S. Coast Guard and Maryland emergency services rescued three other workers.
The bridge collapse created major disruptions for shipping traffic along the East Coast that utilizes the Port of Baltimore. Governor Wes Moore stated the vital artery could face extended closures for repairs, impacting millions of annual vehicle crossings.
The viral Reddit video purported to show an alternate angle of an explosion on the Key Bridge. However, this footage actually depicted the October 2022 attack on the Kerch Bridge linking Russia and Crimea.
Social media platforms enabled rapid dissemination of unverified claims and misinformation surrounding the tragedy. Officials from NTSB, the agency investigating, and media outlets like the Baltimore Sun urged reliance on credible sources for accurate updates.
While the NTSB’s full report detailing causes could take months like the 1980 Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse investigation, Maryland authorities are prioritizing supporting impacted families of workers from Guatemala and the local Baltimore community.
As recovery operations continue, focus has shifted to the extensive rebuilding process required to reconnect this crucial transportation link. The Baltimore bridge collapse underscores the importance of validating information sources during emergencies.