Editor’s Note: Corrections have been made to accurately state that Grace Ocean Private is the owner of the ship involved in the incident.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a pivotal structure in Baltimore, met a catastrophic fate as it collapsed mere seconds following an impact with a cargo ship.
A video that surfaced on social media captured the harrowing moment the bridge contorted, fractured, and ultimately succumbed to the river below, dragging several vehicles into the cold embrace of the waters. Rescue teams have been tirelessly searching for survivors since the incident.
“It was beyond belief to witness the Key Bridge collapse in such a manner. It resembled a scene straight out of an action film,” expressed Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, addressing the incident as “an unthinkable tragedy” early Tuesday.
Here’s the current understanding of the situation.
### Victims: What We Know
At a press conference held on Tuesday, it was confirmed that at the time of the collision, the bridge was occupied by a construction crew of eight individuals engaged in pothole repairs, along with their vehicles. Maryland Secretary of Transportation, Paul J. Wiedefeld, clarified that the repairs were unrelated to any structural issues of the bridge.
Wiedefeld shared that one individual was rescued and is in critical condition at the hospital, while another declined medical treatment. Efforts are ongoing to locate the six remaining crew members.
Although sonar has detected vehicles in the water, the exact number remains undisclosed. Wiedefeld reassured that it’s unlikely anyone is trapped within these submerged vehicles.
### The Cargo Ship: Insights
The ship, moving at a speed of 8 knots (nearly 10 mph), sent out a “mayday” signal indicating a loss of propulsion before the collision, as stated by Gov. Wes Moore. This alert enabled officials to halt bridge traffic, preventing further casualties.
“We are grateful that the mayday signal and the subsequent bridge collapse allowed officials to stop traffic, averting more vehicles from being on the bridge,” Moore remarked.
Synergy Marine Group, managing the ship named the Dali, confirmed the vessel struck a bridge pillar around 1:30 a.m. under the guidance of one or more pilots – local experts who assist in navigating ships safely into ports. Grace Ocean Private Ltd. owns the ship.
### The Francis Scott Key Bridge: Background
Situated south of Baltimore, the bridge extends over 1.5 miles across the Patapsco River. Since its inauguration in March 1977, it has been a crucial link, named after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Despite various renovations, Gov. Moore assured it was “up to code” as of Tuesday.
In 2023, the bridge saw over 12.4 million vehicles, serving approximately 30,000 commuters daily, according to NewsNation data.
### Moving Forward with the Investigation
The press conference highlighted the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the FBI, in the ongoing search operations.
Gov. Moore and Bill DelBagno, the recently appointed special agent in charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, have stated there is no evidence suggesting a connection to terrorism.
As the investigation proceeds, all maritime traffic to and from the port is on hold, though truck access remains unaffected. The full inquiry may span several months.
*The Associated Press has contributed to this report.*