Major Baltimore Bridge Collapses After Container Ship Collision

A section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed following a collision with a container ship, leading to a tragic incident in the early hours of the morning. The collapse of the bridge, a vital transportation link and a key element of East Coast shipping operations, occurred as the vessel struck the structure, sending unidentified individuals into the waters of the Patapsco River.

The impact prompted a significant search and rescue mission, with the exact number of individuals in the river remaining uncertain. According to Kevin Cartwright, the Director of Communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department, at least seven people were reported to have fallen into the river and were currently being sought. Describing it as a «developing mass casualty event,» the situation required immediate attention and resources.

Emergency response teams swiftly mobilized to the scene, a response that was acknowledged by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, indicating a coordinated effort to address the aftermath of the tragic incident.

The vessel involved in the collision was identified as the Dali, a 948-foot container ship according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Departing Baltimore en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Singapore-flagged ship played a central role in the unforeseen disaster that unfolded.

Prior to the collapse, traffic had been halted on both lanes leading to and from the bridge, as confirmed by the Maryland Transportation Authority, necessitating alternative routes for commuters amid the chaos.

Situated as a critical component of I-695, an essential segment of Interstate 95 that traverses the Eastern seaboard, the 1.6-mile long Francis Scott Key Bridge stands as a symbolic and vital structure in the region, located in proximity to Washington, D.C.

As details continue to emerge in this fluid situation, the authorities and emergency teams remain at the forefront of the rescue efforts, directing their focus towards mitigating the impacts of the devastating bridge collapse.