Statement on Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2024) – Otakorp Inc. has released the following statement on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore:

We are shocked and saddened to hear of the accident this morning which resulted in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected and the families of those still missing.

“Baltimore was home to Otakon for decades. We have a lot of love for the people of Baltimore,” said Brooke Zerrlaut, president of Otakorp, Inc., the 501(c)(3) that runs Otakon. “Many of our staff and members come from Baltimore and the surrounding area, and we cannot imagine how they are feeling today at the news of this tragedy.”

We are so thankful for the emergency service workers who are working tirelessly to find the missing people, and treating those injured in the collapse. We continue to hope for the safety of all those affected.

ABOUT OTAKON AND OTAKORP, INC.: Now entering its thirtieth year, Otakon is an annual celebration of Japanese and East Asian popular culture, and also one of the largest gatherings of fans in the United States. Otakon celebrates popular culture as a gateway to deeper understanding of Asian culture, and has grown along with the enthusiasm for anime, manga, video games, and music from the Far East. Historically, Otakon has drawn up to 42,000 people for three days each year (for a paid attendance of over 157,000 turnstile attendees). Otakon is a membership-based convention sponsored by Otakorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based, 501(c)3 educational non-profit whose mission is to promote the appreciation of Asian culture, primarily through its media and entertainment. Otakorp, Inc. is directed by an all-volunteer, unpaid staff – we are run by fans, for fans.

For more information about Otakorp, Inc., see https://www.otakorp.org/
For more information and the latest news on Otakon 2024, see https://www.Otakon.com/