The Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore collapses after a ship crashed into it
Updated March 26, 2024 at 11:41 AM ET
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The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed into the Patapsco River after it was struck by a 948-foot-long container ship early Tuesday, sending several people plunging into the frigid waters below.
The collision set off a rapid search-and-rescue operation. Eight people from a construction crew that was working to repair potholes on the bridge are thought to have fallen into the water, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told reporters. Two had been rescued as of Tuesday morning, Wiedefeld said, but six others remained unaccounted for.
"Response teams are doing everything in our power to rescue and recover the victims of this collapse literally as we speak," Maryland Governor Wes Moore said.
Authorities did not believe any drivers were submerged in their cars, Wiedefeld said.
The bridge collapsed instantly
The bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, collapsed around 1:30 a.m. when it was struck by a massive cargo vessel named the Dali. Dramatic video of the collision shows the hulking ship – the length of more than three football fields – slamming into one of the bridge's pillars, and then an expanse of the bridge falling into the water within seconds.
The Dali, a Singapore-flagged ship, had left Baltimore at 1 a.m. and was bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka, according to Marine Traffic, a maritime data site. Synergy Marine Group, the company that manages the ship, said in a statement that all 22 crew members are accounted for and that there were no injuries resulting from the crash. The company also said there was no pollution to the water.
In a briefing for the media, Gov. Moore said the crew of the container ship had notified authorities about a power outage onboard shortly before the collision. The ship was traveling at approximately 8 knots when it hit the bridge, Moore said, adding that a mayday signal was issued with enough time for authorities to stop the flow of traffic coming over the bridge.
FBI and state officials said the preliminary investigation points to an accident and that there was no credible evidence of any terrorist attack. Moore said the Francis Scott Key Bridge was fully up to code and there was no structural issue with the bridge.
The bridge is part of I-695, an arterial of Interstate 95, a major highway running north-south along the Eastern seaboard of the U.S.
The 1.6-mile long bridge, named for the writer of "The Star-Spangled Banner," opened in 1977 and is located about 45 miles northeast of Washington, D.C.
This is a developing story.
NPR's Dave Mistich contributed to this report. [Copyright 2024 NPR]
