Reports indicate that a cargo ship collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge at 1:30 a.m. local time, resulting in the immediate collapse of the 1.6-mile-long structure. The tragic incident led to seven vehicles plummeting into the water below, with Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace confirming that all occupants are yet to be rescued. While two individuals have been saved, authorities are actively searching for at least seven more individuals.
The Dali, a container vessel owned by the Synergy Marine Group of Singapore, was observed emitting dense smoke from its main chimney as it approached the bridge. It is reported that a mechanical malfunction and subsequent power loss occurred prior to the collision, although this assertion is yet to be officially verified.
Footage illustrates the rapid collapse of the entire bridge structure following the Dali’s impact on one of its support columns, leading to a fire onboard the vessel. The fire seems to have been swiftly contained, with all 22 crew members of the Dali reportedly safe and secure.
The status of the missing individuals remains uncertain, with speculation arising about whether they were commuters caught in the bridge collapse or part of an “unknown size” maintenance crew repairing the bridge during the early morning hours. It is suspected that one of the submerged vehicles was an 18-wheeler.
Rescue operations have been hindered by frigid water temperatures, inclement weather conditions, and rough waters, significantly complicating the rescue mission. A nearby NOAA buoy reports a morning water temperature of just 47 degrees in the Patapsco River.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency and is collaborating with federal agencies to support the ongoing rescue operations. According to the Associated Press, the FBI visited the scene and has ruled out terrorism as a probable cause of the crash.
This story is still developing.
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