A key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, collapsed today into a river after being struck by a container ship, causing at least 20 workers and several vehicles to fall into the river.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday (March 26), when a sizable ship struck a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge around 01:30 ET as reported by the Baltimore City Fire Department. Videos circulating on social media show the shocking moment the bridge fully submerged underwater.
Despite the severity of the incident, no fatalities have been reported so far. A comprehensive rescue and recovery effort involving multiple agencies is currently in progress.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge is a historic 1.6-mile (2.6-km) bridge that spans the lower Patapsco River and outer Baltimore Harbor. It is the longest bridge in Baltimore and the world’s third-longest continuous truss bridge.
The Maryland Transport Authority has confirmed that all lanes on the bridge have been closed in both directions due to the incident. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is aware of the accident and is in contact with local authorities. He has expressed his concern and assured that emergency personnel are on the scene and efforts are underway.
As of now, there are no reports of casualties. However, victims are at risk of hypothermia due to the low temperature of the river, which is currently 9°C (48°F).
The container ship that caused the collision has been identified as the Singapore-flagged “Dali”. Shipping company Synergy Marine Group has confirmed that they are mobilizing their Qualified Individual Incident Response service to determine the exact cause of the incident. All crew members, including the two pilots who were aboard, have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.
Structural engineer and bridge designer Ian Firth explained that a heavy ship like the Dali would impart a very large load, causing the bridge support to collapse. He also clarified that the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is not to be confused with the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., which is a different bridge located over 50 miles away.
This incident is being treated as a serious matter, and various agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, are actively involved in the ongoing multi-agency rescue operation. The situation is still evolving, and updates will be provided as more details emerge.
