In a shocking incident, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, partially collapsed early Tuesday morning after being hit by a container ship. The accident has potentially left several people in the river below, according to authorities.
The Baltimore Police Department is currently responding to the incident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a massive steel structure that carries the Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River southeast of the Baltimore metropolitan area. Detective Niki Fennoy confirmed in a statement, “At 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge.”
The U.S. Coast Guard reported receiving a distress call at 1:27 a.m. ET that a “motor vessel made impact with the bridge.” The vessel in question was identified as DALI, a 948-foot container ship sailing under a Singaporean flag. In response to the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard has deployed three response boats, and pollution responders are en route, as stated by Petty Officer First Class Matthew West.
The Maryland Transport Authority has confirmed the closure of I-695 due to the Key Bridge collapsing from a “ship strike.”
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. expressed his awareness of the incident and stated that he is in touch with the fire service chief, the mayor of Baltimore, and other local officials. He urged everyone to “pray for those impacted.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that he was on his way to the bridge and assured that “emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway.”
I'm aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge. I have been in contact with @BaltimoreFire Chief Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway.
— Brandon M. Scott (@MayorBMScott) March 26, 2024
Images and videos posted to social media early Tuesday depict the mangled wreck of the bridge rising out of the river in the dawn twilight. A livestream shot of the collision shows the ship slowly moving into the bridge’s support as cars and trucks travel on the road above.
The bridge, built in 1977 and locally referred to as the Key Bridge, was later named after the author of the American national anthem. The bridge spans more than 8,500 feet, or 1.2 miles, in total. Its main section spans 1,200 feet and was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world upon its completion, according to the National Steel Bridge Alliance.
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