• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: After an out-of-control cargo ship collided with Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, six persons are believed to have died. While the Indian crew on the ship is receiving praise from several people including US President Joe Biden, a "racist" cartoon that depicts the incident has sparked outrage on social media. Early on Tuesday morning, a cargo ship in Baltimore lost power and crashed into a large bridge, demolishing it in a matter of seconds and plunging it into the river in a horrifying collapse that might cause months' worth of disruptions to a crucial shipping port.

The governor of Maryland reported that just before the collision brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the ship's crew, 22 Indians in total, issued a mayday call, allowing officials to restrict car traffic on the span.

ALSO READ: Indian Navy Rescues 23 Pakistani Nationals From Hijacked Iranian Fishing Vessel In Arabian Sea

Biden praised the crew of the ship, most of whom were Indians, for their prompt Mayday call which prompted authorities to scramble to shut down traffic to the bridge, potentially saving lives. A day later, a US-based webcomic shared a cartoon depicting the incident that depicts dishevelled men wearing only loincloths as they get ready for the approaching collision.

"Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact," Foxford Comics wrote on X while sharing the video. An audio clip of people cursing at each other in English with a heavy Indian accent was also included in the cartoon.

The viral image has received 4.3 million views and 2,000 comments. "It's shameful that people are mocking Indian Crew for the tragic incident...Meanwhile, the governor himself praised the crew," a social media user wrote.

Meanwhile, Indian economist Sanjeev Sanyal also reacting to the Foxford Comics post, said, "At the time that the ship hit the bridge, it would have had a local pilot. In any case, the crew had warned the authorities which is why the casualties were relatively few (for such a disaster). The mayor in fact thanked the Indian crew as "heroes" for raising an alarm that limited casualties."