The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed early Tuesday morning after being struck by a container ship, leading to a tragic mass-casualty event. The incident unfolded around 1:40 a.m., when a large vessel crashed into the central part of the bridge, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River. The bridge, part of Interstate 695, was built in 1977 and is a critical link for shipping and commerce on the East Coast. The ship involved in the collision, named “Dali,” was a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka. The incident was quickly declared a mass-casualty event, with divers and rescue teams frantically searching the water for victims.
Key Facts:
- The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed due to a ship collision with the DALI, a 948-foot Singaporean-flagged container ship.
- The incident triggered a massive fire and smoke, and part of the bridge collapsed over the front of the boat.
- Rescue efforts are underway, with at least seven people in the water being searched for.
- The bridge, named after Francis Scott Key, was a critical link in the Baltimore harbor and the Baltimore Beltway.
- The incident led to the declaration of a state of emergency by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the deployment of Coast Guard response units for search and rescue operations.
- The bridge’s collapse has significant implications for the local economy, particularly for the shipping industry on the East Coast.
The bridge’s collapse was sudden and catastrophic, with several vehicles falling into the water. The Maryland Transportation Authority reported that all lanes were closed in both directions following the incident, and traffic was being detoured to Interstate 95 and Interstate 895. The Baltimore City Fire Department confirmed that at least seven vehicles, including a tractor-trailer-sized vehicle, fell into the water, and rescuers were searching for at least seven people. The focus of the rescue efforts was on trying to rescue and recover these individuals, with some cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge, creating unsafe and unstable conditions.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott described the scene as an “unthinkable tragedy,” likening the collapse to something out of an action movie. The incident has led to a state of emergency being declared by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, with efforts underway to deploy federal resources. The Baltimore Police Commissioner, Richard Worley, stated there was “absolutely no indication” that the vessel had intentionally struck the bridge.
WATCH: https://t.co/d12RLwSdcW
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The search and rescue efforts continued amidst the challenges of cold temperatures, darkness, and a large debris field. Sonar was used to detect vehicles submerged in the water, and officials were informed that there were also workers on the bridge at the time of the crash. The incident has left the community in shock, with the focus shifting from the physical destruction to the search for survivors and the recovery of the missing.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was a symbol of Baltimore’s maritime heritage and a vital link in the city’s transportation infrastructure. The collapse has not only resulted in a significant loss of life and property but also poses a profound challenge to the city’s recovery and the resumption of normalcy.
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