kungfu panda
I don't believe in this case that the crew were ultimately responsible. In my opinion the lack of clear indication that it was unsafe to continue taxiing straight ahead was criminal negligence on the part of the airport authority.
Anything in the charts, NOTAMs, or notes specifying a maximum wingspan or type for this taxiway would be a clear indication it was unsafe for them to proceed in a 747, even if they knew where they were and received a bogus clearance to proceed down where they ultimately went. Conflicting information is cause to stop and sort it out. Do you know for a fact the information their aircraft was too large for this taxiway wasn't available to the pilots? If it turns out that it was available, will that adjust your belief?