In the early hours of Tuesday, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital artery for East Coast shipping, collapsed following a collision with a large cargo ship. The catastrophic event has triggered a massive emergency response as authorities race to rescue individuals plunged into the waters below. The Baltimore City Fire Department swiftly labeled the incident as a mass-casualty event. Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, informed Reuters, “We received several 911 calls at around 1:30 a.m., that a vessel struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the collapse.” He added, “This is currently a mass casualty incident, and we are searching for seven people who are in the river.”
James Wallace, Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, revealed in a subsequent news conference that two individuals had been rescued from the water. While one emerged unharmed, the other is in critical condition. However, the search continues for seven others believed to be submerged, with Wallace cautioning that the number is subject to change. Reports from the Associated Press indicated that several vehicles plummeted into the river below, exacerbating the emergency situation. Additionally, the cargo ship caught fire, escalating the severity of the incident. Kevin Cartwright emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating to AP, “This is a dire emergency. Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”
Baltimore Mayor Brendon Scott acknowledged the severity of the situation, announcing his immediate response. “Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” he affirmed. Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, has declared a State of Emergency in the region. He is coordinating with an interagency team to expedite the deployment of federal resources from the Biden Administration.
Ship tracking data provided by LSEG identified the Singapore-flagged container ship involved as the Dali. According to Reuters, the registered owner of the vessel is Grace Ocean Pte Ltd., managed by Synergy Marine Group. In a statement, Synergy Marine Corp confirmed the collision, attributing it to contact with one of the bridge’s pillars. Fortunately, all crew members, including two pilots, have been safely accounted for, and no injuries have been reported among them.
WT News24 reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard for further comment on the incident. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced the closure of all lanes in both directions on I-695 Key Bridge, with traffic being rerouted due to the incident.The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named in honor of the author of the “Star Spangled Banner,” spans 1.6 miles and accommodates four lanes of traffic over the Patapsco River, as detailed by the MDTA. Opened in 1977, the bridge serves as a crucial link in the region’s transportation infrastructure.
The port terminals, both private and public, are pivotal for trade, handling significant volumes of autos, light trucks, and various commodities. In 2023 alone, the port managed 847,158 autos and light trucks, making it the busiest in the U.S. The port’s operations extend to the handling of farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum, and coal, according to information provided by the Maryland government.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, with its iconic steel-arched design, stands as one of the three primary crossings over the Patapsco River at Baltimore Harbor, as highlighted by the American Civil Engineering Society. With a total length of 8,636 feet, it held the title of the second-longest continuous-truss bridge span globally upon its completion and remains the second longest in the United States and third in the world.
