A significant search and rescue effort is currently underway at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore following a catastrophic event where a cargo ship collided with the structure, causing it to collapse early on Tuesday morning. This incident resulted in vehicles plummeting into the waters below. The U.S. Coast Guard has reported that the vessel involved in the accident lost propulsion and control while exiting Baltimore harbor, leading to the collision around 1:30 a.m. ET.
Overnight, rescue operations managed to save two individuals from the water, with one emerging unscathed and the other sustaining serious injuries. Paul Wiedefeld, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, announced during a news conference that rescue teams are diligently searching for six missing individuals. These individuals were part of a construction crew engaged in pothole repairs on the bridge at the time of its collapse.
In response to the disaster, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency. This declaration has mobilized city, state, and federal response teams to the scene to assist in the ongoing rescue efforts.
The Key Bridge, which spans the Patapsco River, is a vital artery for East Coast shipping and, along with the Port of Baltimore, serves as a significant hub. According to reports from CBS News Baltimore station WJZ, the bridge, a four-lane, 1.6-mile expanse, accommodates approximately 31,000 people daily.
Following the collapse, the Maryland Transportation Authority announced the closure of all lanes on I-695, which crosses the Key Bridge. Traffic has been rerouted to I-95 and I-895 to accommodate the disruption. The collapsed section of the bridge was located between Hawkins Point on the south side and Dundalk on the north.
The vessel involved, the Singapore-flagged Dali, operated by the charter vessel company Synergy Group and carrying cargo for Maersk, had departed the Port of Baltimore just before the incident. The ship, which had been docked at the port for two days, was set to embark on a nearly month-long voyage to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
A video capturing the moment the heavily laden container ship collided with a bridge support, resulting in the bridge’s partial collapse into the river, has surfaced. Officials, during a news conference, mentioned that a mayday signal was issued before the collision, enabling the halting of traffic onto the bridge. However, the exact number of vehicles on the bridge at the time of the collapse was not specified.
Governor Moore confirmed that the crew had notified authorities about a power issue, emphasizing that the decision to halt traffic likely prevented further casualties. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott described the collapse as “an unthinkable tragedy,” urging prayers and support for those affected and expressing gratitude towards the first responders.
For the latest updates on this developing story, follow CBS Baltimore’s coverage.