BALTIMORE – The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital span essential to East Coast shipping, collapsed early on Tuesday following a collision with a sizable cargo ship. This prompted a massive emergency response for at least seven individuals in the water, and the Baltimore City Fire Department characterized the incident as a mass-casualty one.
“We received several 911 calls at around 1:30 a.m., that a vessel struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the collapse,” Kevin Cartwright, the department’s director of communications, told Reuters. “There are currently seven people in the river that we are searching for.”
According to the Associated Press, the ship caught fire and multiple vehicles fell into the river below. The Baltimore Fire Department’s head of communications, Kevin Cartwright, told AP, “This is a dire emergency.” “At this time, our main priority is attempting to recover and save these people.”
On X, Baltimore Mayor Brendon Scott stated that he was on his way to the bridge and that he was aware of the event. “Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” he stated.
What transpired during the Baltimore bridge collapse?
A Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, is visible at the spot along the Key Bridge where the tragedy happened, according to ship tracking data from LSEG. According to Reuters, which cited LSEG statistics, Grace Ocean Pte Ltd is the ship’s registered owner, while Synergy Marine Group is in charge of its management.
According to Synergy Marine Corp, all members of the Dali’s crew—including its two pilots—have been accounted for following the collision with one of the bridge’s pillars, and no casualties have been reported.
Early on Tuesday, USA TODAY contacted the US Coast Guard to request a statement.
According to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), all lanes were restricted in both directions due to an incident on the I-695 Key Bridge early on Tuesday. “Traffic is being detoured.”
How important is the bridge over Francis Scott Key?
Named for the author of the “Star Spangled Banner,” the 1.6-mile, 4-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge spans the Patapsco River, according to the MDTA. 1977 saw its opening.
The port handled the greatest number of cars and light trucks of any U.S. port in 2023, 847,158, through its private and public terminals. According to a website maintained by the Maryland government, the port also handles coal, sugar, gypsum, and farm and construction equipment.