Early Tuesday, a tragic incident unfolded as a ship collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in a partial collapse and chaos.
According to Maryland officials, vehicles and individuals were plunged into the water following the collision.
Confirming the calamity, the Baltimore Police Department stated, “I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge.”
The Maryland Transportation Authority attributed the collapse to the impact of the ship. The container vessel involved was identified as the Dali, flying the flag of Singapore.
According to MarineTraffic, a ship-tracking company, the approximately 984-foot-long ship had departed Baltimore port around 1 a.m. and was en route to Sri Lanka.
During the collision, multiple vehicles plummeted from the bridge, as reported by the Baltimore City Fire Department.
The incident occurred amidst overnight maintenance work on the bridge, prompting divers to search for at least seven individuals in the water.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, an integral part of Interstate 695, spans the Patapsco River within Baltimore’s harbor.
In response to the catastrophe, the Maryland Transportation Authority swiftly closed all lanes in both directions, redirecting traffic for safety measures.
This unfortunate event underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the need for stringent safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
