A massive cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning. Maryland has declared a state of emergency and is searching for survivors in the river below.
Francis Scott Key Bridge was a major bridge in Baltimore. Officials have reported that a search-and-rescue operation is currently in progress.
Divers and emergency workers are urgently searching the area for individuals who are believed to have fallen from the bridge when it collapsed.
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Key Facts
- After five hours of search, only two people were rescued and a desperate search for survivors is currently underway.
- One of those victims, who was rushed to a trauma unit, is reportedly fighting for their life in a hospital.
- Sonar has detected numerous vehicles submerged in the river and multiple rescue teams are now in a race against time.
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Survivors Name
The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024, resulted in a massive search for survivors in the frigid waters of the Patapsco River. The bridge, a critical infrastructure connecting the Baltimore Beltway and Interstate 695, was struck by a cargo ship named Dali, leading to its collapse. The incident was a catastrophic event that not only claimed the lives of several individuals but also disrupted the daily lives of thousands of people who rely on the bridge for their commute.
The search for survivors was a desperate endeavor, with rescue teams working in water estimated to be around 48 degrees. The initial estimates suggested that at least seven people were missing, but this number was dynamic and not confirmed by authorities as the search and rescue operation continued. Two people were rescued, with one in good condition and another seriously injured and being treated in a trauma center.
The bridge was under repair at the time of the collapse, with workers from Brawner Builders Inc. engaged in concrete duct repairs. A group of family members of these workers gathered at a nearby convenience store, indicating the personal impact of the incident on the community. The bridge’s collapse also had significant implications for the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports on the East Coast, affecting its operations and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.
WATCH: Here's the moment a major bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by a ship. https://t.co/rZ6N8TDldx pic.twitter.com/F49cY4zVjP
— Axios (@axios) March 26, 2024
The incident was declared a state of emergency by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who emphasized the need for a long road ahead in terms of recovery and rebuilding efforts. The federal government, under President Joe Biden, pledged to support the city and state in reconstructing the bridge, highlighting the nation’s commitment to helping Baltimore recover from this tragic event.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, built in 1977, was a symbol of Baltimore’s infrastructure and a vital link in the city’s transportation network. Its collapse underscored the importance of maintaining and inspecting critical infrastructure to prevent such catastrophic events. The incident also highlighted the resilience of the community and the dedication of first responders in the face of such a disaster.
In the aftermath of the collapse, the focus shifted to the search and rescue efforts, the recovery of the missing, and the assessment of the damage to the bridge and surrounding infrastructure. The incident served as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure and the importance of ongoing maintenance and safety inspections to prevent such tragedies.
A desperate search is currently underway in Baltimore. A big cargo ship hit the city’s Key Bridge, which collapsed completely and fell into the water.
The Disaster Unfolded In A Matter Of Seconds
A chilling video of the Baltimore bridge falling into the icy waters has been widely shared on social media.
The dramatic footage captures the moment when a 948-foot container ship from Singapore, known as the Dali, collided with the bridge.
This bridge, which carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River, was hit at around 1:28 a.m.
The Coast Guard was alerted about the incident at 1:27 a.m., which led to the deployment of a response team.
It was 1:24 a.m. when the ship’s lights seemed to be turned off and it came back a second later.
At the same time, thick black smoke could be seen coming from its chimney. At 1:26 a.m., the ship seemed to change direction, and its lights flickered off and on again.
When the clock struck 1:28 a.m., the ship collided with the bridge. Seconds later, the part of the bridge above it broke apart and fell into the Patapsco River.
FAQs
What Is The Baltimore Bridge Death Toll?
The exact death toll from the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse is not specified. The situation is still developing, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
What Is The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Ship Name?
According to a U.S. Coast Guard official, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into a river after being struck by a container ship, named the “Dali.” The ship reportedly sails under the flag of Singapore.
