Netizens Had Field Day After Sections Of London's Iconic Tower Bridge Get Stuck Open Due To Technical Failure

London's iconic Tower Bridge got stuck in its open position for the second time in a year due to a technical fault on Monday, leading to road traffic trying to cross the River Thames.

The two sections of the bridge have been pointing skyward since mid-afternoon on Monday, when they had been due to open for a tall wooden ship, the Sailing Vessel Tenacious, according to the bridge's schedule.

According to The Guardian, the bridge was open to allow a large wooden tall ship to pass through. However, its bascules were unable to close properly and stuck in their raised position from around 3 pm on Monday afternoon. Owing to some ¡°technical failure¡± it got jammed and remained stuck up in the position.

A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, which manages the bridge, told the BBC on Monday that investigations were taking place but the reason for the fault was unknown. It tweeted, "Tower Bridge is currently closed to traffic and pedestrians due to technical failure. Please avoid the areas,"

Re: #TowerBridge remains stuck open, with the Approaches closed for emergency repairs.
Q's to A2 Bricklayers Arms & in the area. Fi https://t.co/qGe4AMkdG6

¡ª BBC Radio London Travel (@BBCTravelAlert) August 9, 2021

However, netizens found a way to make jokes and memes on this as well and people got reminding about the nursery rhyme ¡®London Bridge is falling down. As the photos of the iconic landmark went viral, hashtag #TowerBridge started to dominate trends in the UK.

I don't remember this part of the song. pic.twitter.com/3waAUnNY2e

¡ª Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) August 10, 2021

"London Bridge is stuck open after a technical failure," doesn't have the same ring to it https://t.co/TQ2lpwR229

¡ª Morning Brew ?? (@MorningBrew) August 9, 2021

As a technical fault leaves Tower Bridge stuck open, I'm reminded of the time it was stuck in pinball mode until someone got the high score. #towerbridge pic.twitter.com/mI8roWl2s8

¡ª HappyToast ¡ï (@IamHappyToast) August 9, 2021

I think I see the problem here Tower Bridge... pic.twitter.com/zbm4AedhxA

¡ª Matthew Highton (@MattHighton) August 9, 2021

#TowerBridge
Problem is solved pic.twitter.com/OlaiGdnBdY

¡ª ?Olli? (@olli_mit_anker) August 9, 2021

So I was there to see Tower Bridge open to let in and out this masted ship. And then get stuck.

But I can¡¯t avoid analogies with Brexit Britain, dysfunctionally stuck in an effort to usher in the past pic.twitter.com/8QE0TuruUC

¡ª Peter Jukes (@peterjukes) August 9, 2021

#TowerBridge https://t.co/UMwg3GfLX7 pic.twitter.com/iyDNQFZLne

¡ª Yoti (@getyoti) August 9, 2021

LONDON BRIDGE IS STUCK OPEN
STUCK OPEN
STUCK OPEN
LONDON BRIDGE IS STUCK OPEN
CAUSING MASSIVE TRAFFIC JAMS

¡ª Dann Pettit ? (@cat5kable) August 9, 2021

So #TowerBridge is still stuck open so naturally it¡¯s an excuse to play a clip from spice world on the show this morning¡­

¡°HOLD ON TO YOUR KNICKERS GIRLS¡± ???? pic.twitter.com/WfNPI643ia

¡ª ELISE EVANS (@Elise__Evans) August 10, 2021

If these are the images that came to mind when you heard about #TowerBridge today, I see you ?? pic.twitter.com/t7CsE2JoIe

¡ª Frances Noble (@frances_gough) August 9, 2021

London Bridge is stuck open

Me: Can you fix it?
My Partner: Yeah I¡¯ll get it sorted
6 months later: pic.twitter.com/ti6pERe9a5

¡ª On A Budget Official (@onabudgettv) August 9, 2021

Missus: Why are you late home? Did you stop at the pub?
Me: This time it actually IS stuck open pic.twitter.com/47UvRrtH4C

¡ª Tom (@tomsofnavarone) August 9, 2021

Tower Bridge, have you tried turning it off and on again? pic.twitter.com/7gCouRpSpQ

¡ª V (@DotDotDotDash) August 9, 2021

Approach roads to the bridge have been shut while repairs are carried out. However, it¡¯s not the first time this has happened. It previously got jammed in August 2020 when a mechanical fault meant it was stuck open for more than an hour.

Since 1976, the bridge's two arms, or bascules, have been operated by engines powered by oil and electricity, replacing the original steam-powered ones that dated back to the 19th century.

London bridge typically is the most famous tourist attraction of the city and people from all across the globe over to visit it.

In the year 2019, terror returned to the streets of London after two people were killed and several others injured by a knife-wielding convicted murderer. Convicted terrorist Usman Khan, who carried out the deadly rampage, was shot dead by officers after civilians bravely intervened to tackle him on London Bridge.