A tragic incident took place early Tuesday morning when Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapsed, leaving at least seven people unaccounted for.
The Baltimore City Fire Department and other emergency personnel are on site, desperately trying to find these people. Meanwhile, social media users are sharing their prayers and concerns.
A Large Cargo Ship Struck Baltimore’s Key Bridge
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore partially collapsed today after it was struck by a large cargo ship, prompting a “mass casualty incident” with at least seven people in the water.
“We received several 911 calls at around 1:30 a.m. that a vessel struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the collapse,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, said as he addressed the situation in a statement. He added:
“This is currently a mass casualty incident, and we are searching for seven people who are in the river.”
According to The USA Today, other sources reported that the ship had caught fire and several vehicles had plunged into the river below. “This is a dire emergency,” Cartwright said in another statement, adding, “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”
Rescue And Recovery Efforts Already Underway
Baltimore Bridge is 1.6 miles long,
this is the moment it collapsed after a cargo ship struck it in the early hours of this morning
pic.twitter.com/eA6womQlcI— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) March 26, 2024
Ship tracking data from LSEG showed a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali had been at the location along the Key Bridge where the accident occurred. The registered owner of the vessel is reportedly Grace Ocean Pte Ltd., which Synergy Marine Group manages.
The Synergy Marine Corp confirmed the Dali caused the tragic incident after colliding with one of the bridge’s pillars. Fortunately, all of its crew members, including two pilots, have been accounted for, and there were no reports of any injuries.
Baltimore’s Mayor, Brendon Scott, also addressed the situation on X. He explained that he was aware of the incident and was en route to the bridge. “Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” he wrote.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) similarly responded on X, warning citizens about the collapsed bridge. “All lanes closed in both directions for the incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” they noted.
Why The Baltimore Bridge Is Crucial?
The Francis Scott Key Bridge is named after the author of the “Star Spangled Banner.” It is a 1.6-mile, 4-lane bridge that crosses the Patapsco River and was opened in 1977.
When it was built, the steel-arched bridge, with a total length of 8,636 feet, was the second-longest continuous-truss bridge span in the world. It remains the second-longest in the United States and third-longest in the world.
Its span is the outermost of three major Patapsco River crossings at Baltimore Harbor, with its port’s private and public terminals carrying numerous vehicles.
It reportedly handled 847,158 cars and light trucks in 2023, the most of any U.S. port. It also handles farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum, and coal.