In the early hours of Tuesday in Baltimore, a dramatic incident unfolded as a container ship collided with a significant bridge, causing it to fracture and plummet into the river below. This catastrophic event led to several vehicles being submerged in the frigid waters, prompting an urgent search for survivors.
Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace reported that two individuals were rescued from beneath the Francis Scott Key Bridge, with one in serious condition. Authorities were potentially searching for up to seven people, although this figure was subject to change. It remained uncertain whether the two rescued individuals were part of the seven initially mentioned.
The cause of the cargo ship’s collision with the bridge, well before the morning rush hour, remained unclear. This incident was described by an official as a “developing mass casualty event” in a major city near Washington, D.C.
The collision with one of the bridge’s supports led to the structure’s rapid collapse, a shocking event captured in videos shared on social media. The ship subsequently caught fire, emitting thick, black smoke.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed disbelief at the sight of the Key Bridge collapsing, likening it to a scene from an action movie and labeling it an “unthinkable tragedy.”
Sonar detection revealed the presence of vehicles in the water, where temperatures were approximately 47 degrees Fahrenheit, based on data from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration buoy.
Kevin Cartwright, the Baltimore Fire Department’s director of communications, informed The Associated Press that multiple vehicles, including one as large as a tractor-trailer truck, were on the bridge at the time of its collapse. The incident occurred overnight, a time when traffic is typically lighter compared to the daytime hours when the bridge sees thousands of vehicles.
Cartwright described the situation as a “developing mass casualty event,” though the exact number of affected individuals was not known at the time. He also noted that some cargo was seen hanging from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a bustling harbor, leading to the Port of Baltimore, a key East Coast shipping hub. The bridge, opened in 1977, is named after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and coordinated efforts to deploy federal resources. The FBI was also present at the scene.
The Synergy Marine Group, the owner and manager of the ship named the Dali, confirmed that the vessel struck a bridge pillar around 1:30 a.m. while under the control of two pilots. All crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for, with no injuries reported. The Dali, en route from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and flying the Singapore flag, measures approximately 985 feet in length and 157 feet in width.