Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses After Cargo Ship Collision

Early on 26th March, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore suffered a catastrophic collapse following a collision with a large cargo ship.

Chief James Wallace of the Baltimore City Fire Department confirmed that the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m., resulting in multiple vehicles plunging into the Patapsco River.

Rescue efforts are underway, with two individuals already pulled from the water. One remains in critical condition while up to seven others are believed to be still missing. The ship's crew, fortunately, remains safe onboard, but access is pending an assessment of the vessel's condition.

Coordinated efforts involving local, state, and federal agencies are in full swing, employing divers, helicopters, and sonar technology to scour the river. Darkness and tidal influences pose significant challenges to the search operation.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a State of Emergency and is swiftly mobilizing federal resources. Meanwhile, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has expressed shock and sorrow at the unfolding tragedy.

Brandon Scott : "This is an unthinkable tragedy”

The vessel involved, identified as the Singapore-flagged container ship "Dali," reportedly collided with a bridge pillar. Synergy Marine Corp, the ship's manager, has confirmed the safety of all crew members, attributing the accident to the collision.