The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday morning following a collision with a large boat. The bridge, spanning the Patapsco River in Maryland, collapsed shortly after being struck by a sizable container ship. Authorities have declared a mass casualty incident, with reports indicating over a dozen cars and numerous individuals affected by the collapse. 

After the collision, numerous vehicles plunged into the water, prompting authorities to initiate rescue efforts for at least twenty individuals. Video footage circulating on the social media platform X showed the large vessel crashing into the bridge, subsequently catching fire and sinking, leading to the vehicles' descent into the Patapsco River. 

Kevin Cartwright, the Baltimore Fire Department's director of communications, confirmed the ongoing search for the estimated twenty people believed to be in the water. Cartwright stated that emergency agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 am (local time) reporting a vessel traveling outbound from Baltimore colliding with a bridge column, resulting in its collapse. At the time of the incident, multiple vehicles, including one resembling a tractor-trailer, were present on the bridge. 

“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” Cartwright was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. He termed the collapse a “developing mass casualty event”. 

“This is a dire emergency,” he said. “Some cargo or retainers (are) hanging from the bridge,” he further added citing why emergency responders are operating cautiously as there are unsafe and unstable conditions. 

According to data from the ship monitoring website MarineTraffic, a Singapore-flagged container ship named the Dali was observed to be stationary beneath the bridge in the early hours on 26th March. All crew members, including the two pilots, have been confirmed safe, and there are no reports of injuries, according to a statement from the owners of the Singapore-flagged vessel involved in the incident. Additionally, no other casualties have been reported. 

Although the exact cause of the incident remains undetermined, the owners stated that the vessel, named the 'DALI,' has activated its Qualified Individual Incident Response Service. The US Coast Guard and local authorities have been informed, and the owners and managers are actively cooperating with federal and state government agencies as per an approved plan, as mentioned in the statement. 

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. have confirmed that emergency personnel were on the scene and rescue operations were in progress following the collapse of a major bridge in Baltimore. 

The governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency in the early hours of Tuesday after the collapse of the bridge, which resulted in up to 20 individuals falling into the harbour below. 

Image Source: Daily Mail