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.
You may also like:- What is Happening in Bangladesh Right Now?
- India Sees Highest Suicides In The World – 12.4 Per 1,00,000 As Per National Data
- ANI Files Rs 2 Crore Defamation Suit Against Wikipedia
- Russian Artists Welcome PM Modi with Vibrant Dance in Moscow
- Indian Social Media Platform ‘Koo’, Which Was Once Termed as Twitter Alternative is Shutting Down
- 10 Most Controversial Exposes by WikiLeaks
- Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo Announces Resignation Amidst Election Defeat
- Kangana Ranaut Slapped By CISF Woman Constable at Chandigarh Airport
- Save the Date – Narendra Modi’s Oath Ceremony Details Here!
- International Media on India’s Exit Polls
[…] cargo ship collided with the bridge they were repairing. The collision led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, plunging the workers and their red pickup truck into the icy waters of the Baltimore […]
[…] Lanka-bound cargo vessel ‘Dali’ reported a power loss, altering its course towards the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore City, Maryland. The Singapore-flagged vessel collided with a bridge pillar over the […]
[…] Md. — The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge has left the city in a state of shock and mourning. The disaster, which claimed the lives of six […]