Baltimore Bridge Partially Collapses After Cargo Ship Crash: Rescue Efforts Underway

Early Tuesday, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital link for East Coast shipping, suffered a partial collapse following a collision with a large cargo ship. This incident triggered a significant emergency response as at least seven individuals were reported in the water.

The Baltimore City Fire Department categorized the collapse as a mass-casualty event. Kevin Cartwright, the Baltimore Fire Department's communications director, informed Reuters, "We received several 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. reporting that a vessel had struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, leading to its collapse. This is currently a mass casualty incident, and we are actively searching for seven individuals who are believed to be in the river."

According to the Associated Press, multiple vehicles plunged into the river below during the collapse. Kevin Cartwright reiterated the urgency of the situation, stating to AP, "This is a dire emergency. Our primary focus at this moment is the rescue and recovery of those involved."

Baltimore Mayor Brendon Scott acknowledged the incident and was en route to the bridge, as reported by X. "Emergency personnel are already at the scene, and efforts are underway," Mayor Scott assured.

What caused the bridge collapse in Baltimore?

According to ship tracking data from LSEG, a Singapore-flagged container ship named the Dali was present at the location along the Key Bridge where the accident occurred. Reuters, citing LSEG data, reported that the registered owner of the ship is Grace Ocean Pte Ltd. and it is managed by Synergy Marine Group. Synergy Marine Corp stated that the "Dali" collided with one of the pillars of the bridge. Fortunately, all crew members, including the two pilots, have been located, and there have been no reports of injuries. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced on X early Tuesday that all lanes in both directions on I-695 Key Bridge were closed due to the incident, with traffic being detoured.

How important is the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the author of the "Star Spangled Banner," is a 1.6-mile, 4-lane bridge spanning the Patapsco River, as per the MDTA. It was opened for public use in 1977.

In terms of its significance, the port's private and public terminals processed 847,158 autos and light trucks in 2023, the highest volume among all U.S. ports. Additionally, the port handles various commodities such as farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum, and coal, as outlined by a Maryland government website.