A video source from 2022 has been inaccurately presented online as documenting a recent explosion and collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.
AP’S EVALUATION: Incorrect. This particular footage circulated previously in 2022, portraying the aftermath of an explosion that led to the partial destruction of the Kerch Bridge, connecting Crimea to Russia. Russian Telegram channels and leading news agencies broadcasted the video at that time.
HOWEVER, this video has no connection to the Key Bridge incident where a cargo ship collided with the bridge early on a Tuesday morning, resulting in its collapse into the Patapsco River.
The viral 15-second video depicts the explosion on an arched bridge at nighttime, which has since been mislabeled in a tweet as an “Alternate angle on Francis Scott Key bridge shows a large explosion.” This misleading post had achieved around 7,500 likes and 3,800 retweets by Tuesday evening.
A Facebook post spreading the misattributed video labeled as the “#FrancesScottKeyBridge explosion” attracted over 278,000 views by the same evening.
The 2022 video actually shows security footage of a blast affecting the strategic Kerch Bridge amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which led to casualties.
After the Key Bridge was struck by the container vessel named Dali, it smashed into the water. The Dali itself caught fire, producing a thick plume of smoke. Captured footage of this event spread across social platforms post-incident.
The FBI and Maryland’s chief prosecutor, Erek Barron, have not found any indications of terrorism related to this bridge collapse.
Following the bridge’s failure, which saw workers and vehicles plunge into the freezing river, two individuals were rescued alive, with six construction team members missing, as reported by the AP. An emergency call from the ship’s crew before striking the bridge resulted in reduced bridge traffic.
The Singapore-flagged Dali was en route from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as indicated by Marine Traffic data. The Key Bridge, opening in 1977, served as a vital entrance to Baltimore’s Port and saw over 12.4 million vehicles in 2023, and is a tribute to the national anthem’s author.
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This is part of AP’s ongoing work to tackle widely disseminated misinformation online. For more about AP’s fact-checking initiatives.
FAQ
Was the video shared online showing the Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse?
No, the video shared online was originally from 2022 and showed an explosion on the Kerch Bridge linking the Crimean Peninsula with Russia. It was not related to the recent Key Bridge collapse.
How did people initially react to the older video being shared as new?
Many users on social media were misled by the circulation of this footage, believing it depicted a recent explosion and collapse of the Key Bridge. It gained a significant number of views, likes, and shares before being debunked.
What actually happened to the Key Bridge in Baltimore?
A container ship lost power and collided with the Key Bridge, causing it to collapse into the water. The ship caught fire, creating alarming visuals that were widely shared following the incident.
Were there any casualties as a result of the Key Bridge incident?
According to reports, two people were rescued from the water, while six others, all part of the construction crew, were missing after the collapse of the bridge.
Where was the container ship headed, and what flag was it flying?
The container ship Dali was traveling from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, under a Singaporean flag.
Conclusion
It is vital for social media users and consumers of news to verify the sources of the videos and news they encounter online. The spread of misinformation, as seen with the 2022 video of the Kerch Bridge explosion being falsely attributed to the Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, highlights the need for due diligence in sharing and reporting information. The Associated Press continues to fight against the distribution of false and misleading content online through dedicated fact-checking efforts.