A significant bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed early Tuesday morning following a collision with a container ship, leading to multiple vehicles plunging into the water below.
The Baltimore fire department launched a search for at least seven individuals believed to have fallen into the water after a large vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The ship reportedly caught fire before sinking.
A video circulating online depicted a substantial portion of the 2.6km bridge collapsing, causing numerous vehicles to fall into the Patapsco River below.
The Maryland Transportation Authority announced the closure of all lanes in both directions on I-695 Key Bridge due to the incident, with traffic being rerouted. They later confirmed that the collapse was a result of a ship strike and described the situation as active.
Emergency calls were received around 1:30 am, reporting that an outbound vessel from Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge, leading to its collapse. Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore fire department, stated that several vehicles, including one the size of a tractor-trailer, were on the bridge at the time.
Efforts are currently focused on rescuing and recovering individuals affected by the collapse, with Cartwright describing it as a “developing mass casualty event” and indicating that it is too early to determine the exact number of people involved.
Cartwright noted the presence of “cargo or retainers” dangling from the bridge, posing unsafe and unstable conditions that complicated the rescue efforts. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, describing it as a dire emergency. Matthew West, a petty officer first class for the Coast Guard in Baltimore, informed the New York Times that they received a report of the impact at 1:27 am ET. West stated that the Dali, a 948-foot (290-meter) Singapore-flagged cargo ship, collided with the bridge, which forms part of Interstate 695.
According to the maritime data platform MarineTraffic, the Dali departed from Baltimore at 1 am and was en route to the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. “While the precise cause of the incident remains under investigation, the Dali has activated its qualified individual incident response service,” the statement read.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott and County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. confirmed that emergency personnel were present at the scene and rescue operations were in progress.
Constructed in 1977, the bridge stretches over the Patapsco River, serving as a crucial passage connected to the Port of Baltimore, a central hub for shipping activities along the eastern coast of the United States. Named after the author of the American national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the bridge holds historical significance.
Synergy Marine Group, the manager of the Dali, confirmed that the ship had struck one of the bridge’s pillars. They reported that all crew members, including the two pilots, were safe and accounted for, with no injuries reported.