By Lea Skene, Associated Press
In the early hours of Tuesday in Baltimore, a dramatic incident unfolded as a container ship collided with a key bridge, causing significant damage. The impact was so severe that parts of the bridge broke off and fell into the river below, dragging several vehicles into the cold waters. Rescue teams were swiftly deployed, searching for at least seven individuals initially reported missing.
Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace reported that two individuals were rescued from the frigid waters beneath the Francis Scott Key Bridge, with one of them in serious condition. The collision, which occurred in the dead of night when traffic was minimal, was captured in a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ship caught fire during the incident, sending plumes of thick, black smoke into the air.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his shock at the scene, likening it to something from an action movie and describing the event as an “unthinkable tragedy.” The exact number of people missing was uncertain, with the fire chief mentioning that the search could potentially include up to seven individuals, though it was unclear if the two rescued were part of this count.
Sonar detection confirmed the presence of vehicles in the water, where temperatures were recorded at about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius), based on data from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration buoy.
Kevin Cartwright, the Baltimore Fire Department’s director of communications, revealed that several vehicles, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck, were on the bridge when it collapsed. He described the situation as a “developing mass casualty event,” though the full extent of those affected was still being assessed.
Some of the bridge’s cargo was seen hanging precariously, highlighting the strategic importance of this structure that spans the Patapsco River and serves as a gateway to a bustling harbor leading to the Port of Baltimore. Since its opening in 1977, the bridge has been a vital link, named after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency in response to the catastrophe and sought federal assistance. The FBI was also present at the scene.
The vessel involved, named “Dali” and managed by Synergy Marine Group, struck a bridge pillar around 1:30 a.m. while under the guidance of two pilots. All crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for, with no injuries reported.
From a nearby vantage point, the devastating aftermath was visible: jagged steel remnants jutting out from the water and the bridge’s on-ramp ending abruptly. The Dali, which was en route from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, was flying under a Singapore flag, according to reports from WTOP radio station, citing Coast Guard Petty Officer Matthew West in Baltimore.
This incident recalls a 2001 event when a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a downtown Baltimore tunnel and caught fire, resulting in black smoke enveloping nearby neighborhoods and the temporary closure of major city roads.