BALTIMORE — The Francis Scott Key Bridge − a major span critical to East Coast shipping − collapsed early Tuesday after it was struck by a large cargo ship, prompting a massive emergency response for at least seven people in the water.
The Baltimore City Fire Department described the collapse as a mass-casualty incident. “We received several 911 calls at around 1:30 a.m., that a vessel struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the collapse,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told Reuters. “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, said in a news conference that two people were rescued from the water. One was unharmed and the other is in critical condition, he said, adding that seven other are believed to be in the water, noting that number is “subject to change.”
The Associated Press reported that several vehicles had plunged into the river below and said the ship had caught fire. “This is a dire emergency,” Cartwright told AP. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”
Baltimore Mayor Brendon Scott said on X that he was aware of the incident and was en route to the bridge. “Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” he said.
Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and is working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration.
What happened in the bridge collapse in Baltimore?
Ship tracking data from LSEG shows a Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, at the location along the Key Bridge where the accident occurred. Reuters, citing LSEG data show, reported that the registered owner of the ship is Grace Ocean Pte Ltd. and is managed by Synergy Marine Group.
Synergy Marine Corp said the Dali collided with one of the pillars of the bridge and that all its crew members, including two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge,” the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) said on X early Tuesday. “Traffic is being detoured.”
Synergy Marine Corp said the Dali collided with one of the pillars of the bridge and that all its crew members, including two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge,” the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) said on X early Tuesday. “Traffic is being detoured.”
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