Early Tuesday morning, a catastrophic incident occurred when a large vessel struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, leading to a partial collapse. The bridge, an integral component of Interstate 695 that spans the Patapsco River, became the center of an emergency response as officials reported vehicles and individuals being propelled into the water.
The incident transpired at approximately 1:35 a.m., when the Baltimore City Police Department received notification of the bridge’s partial collapse. According to a statement by the department, there was a possibility of workers being submerged in the water following the collapse. The Maryland Transportation Authority clarified that the collapse was the result of a “ship strike.”
The Baltimore City Fire Department reported that several vehicles, which were on the bridge during its collapse, had fallen into the river. Ongoing overnight work meant that the bridge was not empty at the time, exacerbating the tragic impact. Divers promptly initiated a search for at least seven people believed to be in the water, turning the site into a locus of frantic rescue efforts.
The immediate repercussions of the collision were significant, forcing the closure of all bridge lanes in both directions. As the MDTA announced detours following the incident,the usual ebb and flow of Interstate 695 traffic came to a halt.
Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, elucidated the severity of the situation. Speaking to The Associated Press, Cartwright explained that the emergency response followed a 911 call reporting that a vessel had struck a column on the bridge. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency of the response.
Cartwright described the situation as a “developing mass casualty event” and noted that, based on early reports, it was difficult to ascertain the full scope of those affected. He mentioned that conditions were precarious, with cargo or containers dangling from the bridge, creating additional risks for the rescue teams operating below.
Amid this dire emergency, caution was paramount. The agencies on scene had to navigate the treacherous combination of unstable wreckage and the risk of falling debris as they searched for survivors. At the time of the collapse, the bridge housed a variety of vehicles, including one comparable in size to a tractor-trailer.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, since its opening in 1977, has served as a vital artery for Baltimore’s transportation network. The unforeseen catastrophe not only disrupted the daily commute for countless individuals but also called into question the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of unexpected maritime accidents.
Relevant articles:
– Maryland’s Francis Scott Key Bridge closed to traffic after incident
– Ship strikes Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge causing partial collapse, WPVI-TV, Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:47:15 GMT
– Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapses after ship strikes it, sending vehicles into water, Live 5 News WCSC, Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:14:00 GMT
– Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore: Vehicles fall in water after ship strikes bridge, The Times of India, Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:21:00 GMT