The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed on March 26 after being by chance hit by a big cargo ship named the Dali. Within the aftermath of this incident, rumors and inaccurate data emerged in each Chinese language and English media shops, including additional confusion to the incident.
AFCL checked and investigated a number of the most widespread claims and rumors surrounding the incident. Beneath is what AFCL discovered.
Did key details about the Dali earlier than the collision go lacking?
A Weibo person claimed on April 1 that U.S. authorities mentioned they had been unable to acquire key positional information from the ship’s voyage information recorder, additionally known as a black field, within the minutes main as much as the ship’s collision with the bridge.
However that is deceptive. Though movement sensors on the ship did cease briefly for a few minute within the time main as much as the collision, the Nationwide Transportation Security Board, or NTSB, was nonetheless capable of receive audio of steering instructions and rudder actions recorded by the black field throughout that point.
Marcel Muise, the NTSB chief investigator for the incident, famous in a report issued by CNN that the ship’s recorder stopped recording sensor information for about one minute at 1:25 a.m. on March 26 – about 4 and half minutes earlier than the precise collision occurred.
Throughout this time, nevertheless, audio on the ship – together with rudder orders and steering instructions – continued to be recorded with out interruption utilizing a backup energy supply.
Did CNN report that the Dali was stuffed with Chinese language items?
A number of influencers on Weibo and Douyin claimed that CNN had reported the Dali was stuffed with Chinese language items when it hit the bridge, citing purported screenshots taken from information broadcast by the American broadcaster.
That is false. The screenshots superimposed a faux CNN headline over footage from a separate Baltimore native information outlet.
A more in-depth take a look at the screenshots revealed notable variations, together with font fashion, subtitle design, headline presentation, and the looks of the “LIVE” marker, which diverge from CNN’s genuine requirements.
A reverse picture search discovered the screenshots actually had been taken from WBAL-TV, a tv station in Baltimore.
Did the US Secretary of Transportation request paternity depart after the incident?
Another widespread declare on Weibo is that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg requested for paternity depart proper after the collapse of the bridge.
A screenshot of a Chinese language language information report claiming that Buttigieg introduced he deliberate to take three months depart at an emergency information convention was connected beneath the submit.
The report is dated to March 26, 2024, and is sourced from The Babylon Bee.
That is false. The Babylon Bee is a satirical information website, self described as “the definitive supply of pretend information you may belief.”
Key phrase searches discovered no credible reviews or official announcement about Buttigieg’s paternity depart request.
Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Taejun Kang and Matt Reed.
Asia Truth Test Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in at the moment’s complicated media atmosphere. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reviews that purpose to sharpen and deepen our readers’ understanding of present affairs and public points. When you like our content material, you can even comply with us on Fb, Instagram and X.
