26-3-2024 (BALTIMORE) A devastating incident unfolded in the US city of Baltimore as a cargo ship collided with a major bridge, resulting in its collapse and prompting authorities to declare a “mass casualty” event.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, spanning 2.6km, suffered significant damage, with footage capturing a large section of the structure tumbling into the Patapsco River around 1:30am on Tuesday.
Reports from Baltimore’s fire department indicated that up to 20 individuals may have fallen into the river, with multiple vehicles plunging into the water following the collapse.
The Maryland Transportation Authority rerouted traffic in response to the catastrophe, while the US coastguard confirmed the collision without providing further details.
According to fire department officials speaking to CBS News, a large tractor-trailer was traversing the bridge when the collapse occurred, leading to a substantial amount of diesel spilling into the river.
The cargo ship involved, identified as the Singapore-flagged container vessel named the Dali, had departed from Baltimore en route to Sri Lanka at 1am on Tuesday. Fortunately, the crew escaped unharmed, as affirmed by the ship’s management, the Singapore-based Synergy Maritime Group.
“While the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the Dali has now mobilised its qualified individual incident response service,” stated the maritime group.
Both Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski acknowledged the gravity of the situation and confirmed ongoing rescue efforts.
In the city of Baltimore, a bridge has collapsed entirely into the Patapsco River following a collision with a cargo ship.
According to the Baltimore City Fire Department, up to 20 individuals and multiple vehicles have plunged into the river.
Emergency responders are… pic.twitter.com/1pfMCwZAjo
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) March 26, 2024
“Please pray for those impacted,” Mr Olszewski posted on social media.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a critical artery carrying Maryland’s Interstate 695, ranks as the world’s third-longest continuous truss bridge.
This incident recalls a similar tragedy in June when a bridge collapsed in Philadelphia following a lorry crash and subsequent fire, resulting in a month-long repair effort and significant traffic disruption. Additionally, the collapse of a bridge in Minnesota in 2007 claimed thirteen lives, attributed to construction errors.
