A major Baltimore bridge collapsed early Tuesday after it was hit by a large container ship.
Six people were missing after the collision at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland’s transportation secretary. Two people were rescued, with one transported to a trauma center in serious condition. The missing people may have fallen into the water.
The bridge carries Interstate 695 across the Patapsco River, southeast of the Baltimore metropolitan area.
The crash by the large container ship occurred around 1:30 a.m. ET, when contractors were working on the bridge, according to Wiedefeld. The missing people are believed to be the construction crew who were repairing potholes on the bridge.
Wiedefeld said the incident is an active search and rescue mission and that vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice.
“This is a very large incident, it involves a very large footprint,” Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James W. Wallace said in a press briefing.
The National Transportation Safety Board launched a team to investigate the collapse, a spokesperson told storpk.online.
Sonar scans detected the presence of submerged vehicles, but could not disclose the number of cars involved, the fire department chief said.
“The latest information we have on the crew of the ship is that they still are on board of the ship,” Wallace said, adding that rescue agents must first do a damage assessment of the vessel before being able to board. Asked if the ship was suffering any technical impairments, he said, “We do not have that information.”
Maryland officials and the FBI said there is no information to suggest the collapse was a result of terrorism.
“The preliminary investigation points to an accident,” said Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. “We haven’t seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack.”
Completed in 1977, the bridge took the name of Francis Scott Key, whose poem was the foundation of the U.S. national anthem.
About 35,000 people use the bridge every day, according to Wiedefeld. Drivers in the area will have to use the far-busier Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels to cross the harbor for the foreseeable future.
Moore said the priority now is on search and rescue, but that the rebuilding of the bridge will be a long-term project.
“We are going to make sure that this is not just not just rebuilt, but that we are going to rebuild in a way that remembers the people who this tragedy has impacted,” Moore said.
Maersk confirms chartering vessel
The vessel that collided with the bridge was identified by the U.S. Coast Guard as a 948-ft Singapore-flagged container ship chartered by Maersk.
No Maersk crew or personnel were onboard the vessel, according to the company. Shipping data indicates that the vessel is under the management of Synergy Marine Group, which said in a statement that all 22 crew members on board, including two pilots, were accounted for.
“Whilst the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the [ship] has now mobilised its Qualified Individual Incident response service,” the group said. “The US Coast Guard and local officials have been notified, and the owners and managers are fully cooperating with Federal and State government agencies under an approved plan.”
Marine traffic data suggests the ship was bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka.
State of emergency
Emergency personnel remained on the scene after the bridge’s collapse, according to the office of Maryland’s governor.
“I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore said.
“We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy.”
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that the Francis Scott Key Bridge carries Interstate 695 and crosses the Patapsco River.
Title: “Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Container Ship Collision Leaves 6 Missing in Devastating Accident”
In a shocking turn of events, a major bridge in Baltimore collapsed following a collision with a massive container ship, resulting in the disappearance of six individuals. The incident, which occurred during the early hours of a foggy morning, has sent shockwaves through the city and raised questions about infrastructure safety and maritime navigation protocols.
The bridge, a crucial artery for transportation in the region, succumbed to the impact of the collision, crumbling into the waters below with terrifying speed. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and confusion as vehicles teetered on the edge before plunging into the murky depths, while the container ship loomed ominously against the backdrop of the dawn sky.
Emergency response teams sprang into action, their efforts hindered by the tangled wreckage and treacherous conditions. Divers plunged into the water in a desperate search for survivors, battling against strong currents and debris. As the hours passed, hope dwindled for those still unaccounted for, their fate hanging in the balance amid the rubble-strewn waters.
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the collision, with early reports suggesting possible errors in navigation or communication. Questions have been raised about the adequacy of safety measures in place to prevent such tragedies, as well as the need for stricter regulations governing maritime traffic in congested waterways.
Meanwhile, the community has rallied together in a show of support for the families affected by the disaster, offering prayers and assistance in any way they can. Vigils have been held to honor the memory of those lost and to express solidarity in the face of adversity.
As the search and rescue operation continues, attention has turned to the daunting task of rebuilding the shattered bridge and restoring normalcy to the city’s transportation network. But amid the debris and heartache, one thing remains clear: the need for vigilance and accountability to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.
Title: “Baltimore Scaffold Breakdown: Holder Boat Crash Departs 6 Missing in Annihilating Mishap”
In a stunning new development, a significant extension in Baltimore imploded following a crash with a gigantic compartment transport, bringing about the vanishing of six people. The occurrence, which happened during the early hours of a hazy morning, has sent shockwaves through the city and brought up issues about foundation security and sea route conventions.
The scaffold, an essential supply route for transportation in the district, capitulated to the effect of the impact, disintegrating into the waters underneath with unnerving rate. Observers depicted scenes of mayhem and disarray as vehicles wavered on the edge prior to diving into the dim profundities, while the compartment transport lingered unfavorably against the setting of the sunrise sky.
Crisis reaction groups got a move on, endeavors obstructed by the tangled destruction and misleading circumstances. Jumpers dove into the water in a frantic quest for survivors, engaging areas of strength for against and flotsam and jetsam. As the hours passed, trust dwindled for those still unaccounted for, their destiny yet to be determined in the midst of the rubble-thronw waters.
Specialists have sent off a full-scale examination concerning the reason for the impact, with early reports recommending potential mistakes in route or correspondence. Questions have been raised about the ampleness of security estimates set up to forestall such misfortunes, as well as the requirement for stricter guidelines administering oceanic traffic in blocked streams.
In the mean time, the local area has mobilized together in a demonstration of help for the families impacted by the debacle, offering supplications and help with a way they can. Vigils have been held to respect the memory of those lost and to communicate fortitude even with affliction.
As the inquiry and salvage activity proceeds, consideration has gone to the overwhelming undertaking of remaking the broke scaffold and reestablishing predictability to the city’s transportation organization. However, in the midst of the flotsam and jetsam and despair, one thing stays clear: the requirement for watchfulness and responsibility to guarantee that such a misfortune at no point ever happens in the future.