1. Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapses after an alleged collision with a container ship.
2. Baltimore City Fire Department terms it a ‘mass-casualty incident’.
3. Several vehicles reportedly fell into the river; rescue efforts are underway.
Francis Scott Key, March 26: In the early hours of Tuesday, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, United States, suffered a catastrophic collapse allegedly caused by a collision with a large container ship, occurring around 1:30 am local time.
Described by the Baltimore City Fire Department as a ‘mass-casualty incident’, reports indicate that numerous vehicles plummeted into the river below as a result of the collapse.
Rescue teams immediately initiated search operations for approximately seven individuals believed to be in the water.
Footage of the collapse circulated widely, showcasing the dramatic moment of the bridge’s destruction. The vessel, believed to be a large container ship, collided with one of the bridge’s supports, causing significant structural damage and leading to sections of the roadway collapsing into the water.
Additionally, the ship caught fire and eventually sank.
According to Fox Baltimore, the Key Bridge, spanning approximately 3 kilometers (1.6 miles) in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed into the water following the collision with the cargo ship.
Ship tracking data provided by LSEG revealed the presence of the Singapore-flagged container ship, identified as the Dali, in the vicinity of the Key Bridge at the time of the accident.
Also Read: Kiren Rijiju Nominates as BJP Candidate for Arunachal West Parliamentary Seat
The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and managed by Synergy Marine Group, which acknowledged the collision with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
While the exact cause of the incident remains under investigation, the ship’s management confirmed the activation of its Qualified Individual Incident response service.
Fortunately, all crew members, including the two pilots onboard, have been safely located, and there have been no reports of injuries.
In response to the incident, local authorities closed all lanes in both directions, affecting traffic in the area.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, inaugurated in 1977, serves as a crucial transportation route spanning the Patapsco River, which, along with the Port of Baltimore, plays a significant role in shipping activities along the East Coast.
The bridge is named after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
