BALTIMORE (March 26, 2024) – A container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday morning, causing it to fall into the Patapsco River below. Search and rescue teams immediately launched efforts to locate survivors who may have plunged into the water during the collapse, with several people unaccounted for.
Around 1:30 a.m., a cargo vessel leaving the Port of Baltimore struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse in just seconds, according to USA Today. Footage of the incident shows the ship crash into one of the columns before the bridge snapped, hit the water and partially fell onto the ship, where a burst of flames and smoke could be seen. The water is about 59-feet deep at the site of the crash.
Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of impact, including a tractor-trailer truck. There were also multiple contractors on the bridge who were repairing potholes. As of mid-morning Tuesday, two people had been rescued. One person was unharmed, and the other was listed in “very serious condition.” Six people were still unaccounted for.
Information on vehicles that had possibly driven into the water was not immediately available. Sonar technology had detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water but did not immediately have a count to share.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore confirmed the crew of the ship involved had notified authorities of a power issue just before the collision. He went on to say the ship was “up to code” and traveling at about 9 miles per hour at the time of impact.
The crew remains on the vessel, which needs to be assessed for damage before rescuers can board it, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department.
USA Today reports the ship was carrying cargo for the major shipping company Maersk and was headed for Sri Lanka.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in 1977 and is one of three toll crossings of Baltimore’s Harbor. Upon completion, the bridge structure became the final connection to Interstate 695 (the Baltimore Beltway). It represented the best option for drivers in the area because it allowed for more traffic lanes and carried lower operating and maintenance costs than a tunnel, FOX 29 reports.
U.S. Coast Guard remains focused on search-and-rescue.
All vessel traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice.
