The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a critical part of I-695 in Maryland, tragically collapsed into the Baltimore harbor following a collision with a cargo ship early Tuesday morning. The incident initiated a large-scale search and rescue operation for individuals who fell into the cold waters below.
At approximately 1:30 a.m., a livestream captured the cargo ship colliding with one of the bridge’s support beams, leading to the catastrophic failure of the structure. The bridge, at the time, had multiple vehicles on it, although specific details regarding casualties have not been provided. The construction crew of eight, who were conducting routine maintenance work on the bridge, were among those who plummeted into the water. Of these, six were unaccounted for following the incident, while two were rescued; one of the rescued individuals was hospitalized, and the other declined treatment.
Paul Wiedefeld, the secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, highlighted the ongoing search and rescue mission’s urgency, with the U.S. Coast Guard leading efforts to find any survivors. The waters below the bridge are known to be about 50 feet deep, with a temperature of approximately 47 degrees at the time of the collapse.
In response to the disaster, President Biden assured that the federal government would provide all necessary resources for the recovery efforts and committed to fully funding the bridge’s reconstruction. Despite inquiries about the accountability of the ship’s managing company for the damages, Biden emphasized the priority of rebuilding the bridge and reopening it to the public.
Investigations into the cause of the incident revealed that the ship’s crew had reported a power issue prior to the impact, allowing authorities to limit traffic under and across the bridge momentarily. The FBI, having investigated the scene, found no links to terrorism.
The cargo ship involved in the collision was identified as the Dali, a Singapore-flagged container vessel managed by the Singapore-based Synergy Group. Despite the serious nature of the incident, all 22 crew members aboard the Dali were accounted for without any reported injuries, and no pollution from the ship has been detected.
Officials continue to address the aftermath of this tragic event, described as a mass casualty situation, with emergency response teams from multiple agencies working tirelessly at the scene. The bridge’s collapse not only represents a significant infrastructural loss but also a solemn reminder of the potential dangers associated with maritime and vehicular transport near such vital structures.