The Francis Scott Key Baltimore Bridge collapse has left the nation in shock. On Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 at 1:30 AM the Baltimore Key Bridge was struck by a container ship (Dali) passing below. The 948 foot long cargo ship hit one of the two base support beams of the bridge, causing the entire structure to collapse upon the initial impact. Impact is suspected to be due to the ship’s to a loss of power minutes before approaching the bridge and the failure of the cargo ship’s propulsion. Crew members onboard notified the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) that control of the ship had been lost and collision with the bridge was possible. The emergency call from the ship allowed for traffic to be stopped on both ends of the bridge, however 6 construction workers were on the bridge repairing potholes and masonry at the time of the crash.
Search and rescue efforts continued throughout the day Tuesday to locate the remaining individuals who were on the bridge at the time of impact. On Wednesday March 27th, search efforts were paused due to the amount of debris prohibiting divers from safely navigating the area. The pause occurred after the recovery of two bodies from the individuals that were involved in the bridge collapse. The crash has resulted in the closure of one of the country’s busiest ports.
Social media conversations surrounding the key bridge crash on March 26th, 2024 have continued to rise as the investigation into the deadly event continues and information on the exact events of the crash are being revealed. Since Tuesday, the topic has had a reach of 6.93 billion and 368.96 K mentions. In addition to the six workers who were initially missing, two other workers were rescued, of which one is in the hospital. The topic reached its peak on March 26th, 2024 at 8:00 PM.
One of the main topics of conversation has been Dali’s involvement in previous incidents. Individuals call into question the reason for its continued use. Some conversations even call into question if this event was an accident.
The vessel responsible for the Baltimore bridge collapse was implicated in other accidents. In 2016, it collided with the dock at the container terminal in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium.
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) March 26, 2024
The incident is said to have been caused by a mistake made by the Master and pilot on board… pic.twitter.com/KdXyBDEyQP
The Ship Changed its Course Appox. 2 Minutes prior to Hitting the Baltimore Bridge
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) March 26, 2024
• At 4:44:37 UTC, the ship begins its journey
• 5:27:37 UTC, the ship changed course
• 5:29:39 UTC, the ship hit the bridge
This was no accident.
Other Ship Details:
• DALI (IMO: 9697428)… https://t.co/1kXRDWzaS5 pic.twitter.com/bwdfW1vrRm
Multiple intel sources: Baltimore bridge collapse was an “absolutely brilliant strategic attack” on US critical infrastructure – most likely cyber – & our intel agencies know it. In information warfare terms, they just divided the US along the Mason Dixon line exactly like the…
— Lara Logan (@laralogan) March 26, 2024
This is a BLACK SWAN event.
— General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) March 26, 2024
Black swans normally come out of the world of finance (not military). The standard operating procedures for all U.S. ports, harbors, and bays that transit commerce and military activities are supposed to maintain an incredible level of discipline,… https://t.co/4fmSMaaJGd
Welcome to the world of cyber terrorism.
— Lara Logan (@laralogan) March 26, 2024
Acc to intel sources: The Baltimore bridge collapse was a 9/11 style attack but they won’t admit it and we cannot see it because it was a CYBER ATTACK.
All the SCADA systems that run our critical infrastructure like sewage, electric…
Additional commentary occurred regarding one of the two workers who was located shortly after the crash and opted not to go to the hospital.
I wanna talk to the man who was rescued from that bridge collapse and refused to go to the hospital. Just shook out his wet clothes and went home…
— Petty Slimane (@LilAioli) March 26, 2024
What or who are you hiding from?? pic.twitter.com/Z1Pr4PG53V
First responders are also being praised for their efforts to prevent further loss of life/injury from occurring during the crash.
This much is clear: the actions of first responders & officials who stopped traffic from going on the bridge before it collapsed saved lives. I'm thankful for them and all who have worked tirelessly all day in search of survivors.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) March 26, 2024
Their heroism is ray of light on this dark day.
The cause of Dali’s power failure is still unknown. Jennifer Homendy, National Transportation Safety Board Chair, stated that investigators had boarded the ship to recover the data recorder in hopes of piecing together the timeline and reasoning leading to the crash.
Author: Lexi Merriman
