Sunday, May 12

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Netizens Slam Racist Cartoon On DALI Ship’s All-Indian Crew

Edited by Akhil Thomas
Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Netizens Slam Racist Cartoon On DALI Ship’s All-Indian Crew

The US city of Baltimore witnessed a catastrophic event on Tuesday as a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bridge collapsed seconds after the collision, and several vehicles on the bridge at the time plunged into the waters. The Coast Guard later informed that at least six people were presumed dead.

Following this incident, a US-based webcomic released a racist cartoon targeting the crew members onboard the vessel called DALI that crashed into the bridge in the major American city just outside of Washington. Notably, the company that manages the Singaporean-flagged container informed informed that the entire 22-member crew of the cargo ship are Indians.

The cartoon, created by Foxford Comics, portrays the Indian crew members standing inside the ship’s control room in dirty water. In the cartoon, the crew members in brownface are seen wearing dhotis and look frightened as the vessel is about to collide. “Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact,” wrote Foxford Comics as comment while sharing the controversial cartoon on its X handle on March 27.

Economist Sanjeev Sanyal condemned the cartoon and called it a racist cartoon. “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). But, hey, why give up a chance to do racist cartoons,” wrote Sanjeev Sanyal in an X post.

Several netizens also severely criticised Foxford for releasing racist cartoons. “It’s shameful that people are mocking Indian Crew for the tragic incident…Meanwhile the governor himself praised the crew,” commented a user. “Such a trash and racist cartoon,” commented another.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden acknowledged the crew’s efforts in alerting officials about losing control of the ship. Joe Biden also praised the local officials for their prompt action. The crew onboard the vessel had sent out a ‘mayday’ call alerting local authorities before the collision. The governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, also lauded the Indian crew. “These people are heroes; they saved lives last night,” the governor said.