In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a catastrophic event unfolded as the Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, collided with a pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This steel arch-shaped truss bridge, which carries Interstate 695 over the Baltimore Harbor and spans approximately 1,200 feet, experienced a dramatic collapse following the impact. The incident resulted in the bridge’s destruction and the plunge of several vehicles from the compromised sections into the waters below.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman confirmed the complete collapse of the bridge, announcing that rescue operations were actively underway at the scene. Despite the severity of the situation, there have thankfully been no fatalities reported so far. Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace shared that two individuals were rescued from the water, with one in serious condition. The search may extend to as many as seven people, as authorities utilized sonar technology to locate submerged vehicles.
The moment of the collision was captured live, revealing the 984-foot vessel striking the bridge at 1:28 a.m., which led to a disastrous chain reaction. Indications of a possible electronic malfunction were noted just minutes before the crash, as the ship’s lights were seen flickering. The vessel, which is 9 years old, was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, according to VesselFinder.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency in response to the incident and highlighted the state’s coordination with federal resources to address the crisis. Kevin Cartwright, the Baltimore Fire Department’s director of communications, described the event as a “dire emergency” and raised concerns about a potential “developing mass casualty event.”
The aftermath of the bridge’s collapse and the disruption of the ship’s cargo could significantly impact traffic to and from the port, the second busiest in the mid-Atlantic region. This poses a substantial threat to trade and commerce activities.
Synergy Marine Group, the company managing the vessel, confirmed that the ship collided with the bridge while under the control of two pilots, fortunately resulting in no fatalities or injuries among the crew. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley reassured that there was no indication of the collision being intentional. A report by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency revealed that the Dali had lost propulsion while leaving the port, and the pilots had alerted officials about their loss of control.
The Maryland Transportation Authority advised the use of alternate routes across the harbor, specifically the I-95 or I-895 tunnels, as vehicles carrying hazardous materials are prohibited from using the tunnels and must navigate the western section of I-695.
Baltimore’s Mayor, Brandon Scott, expressed his shock at the tragedy, likening the scene to something out of an action movie. This incident has indeed left a lasting impact on the community and the state at large, prompting a united effort towards recovery and rebuilding.