Rescue forces are searching for seven missing people in the Patapsco River, following a cargo ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge early this morning and caused it to collapse: “There are people in the water. We must rescue them.” ABC Network: The ship lost power in its propellers as it left the port of Baltimore, warning authorities of a possible collision with the bridge
A cargo ship collided with a central bridge in the Port of Baltimore today (Tuesday) and caused it to collapse. Several vehicles on the bridge at the time fell into the waters of the Patapsco River, and authorities announced that rescue forces were searching for seven missing people. According to a report by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, the cargo ship lost power in its propellers while leaving the port of Baltimore, and its crew warned the authorities of a possible collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge – the American news network ABC reported.
“The vessel informed the Maryland Department of Transportation that it had lost control of the vessel and that there was a possibility of a collision with the bridge,” the report states. “The vessel struck the bridge and caused a complete collapse.”
Coast Guard Officer Matthew West said the Guard received a report of the damage to the Francis Scott Key Bridge at 01:27 am (local time). According to him, the Singaporean-owned cargo ship “Dali”, which is regarding 290 meters long, hit a bridge that is part of Interstate 695. The ship left Baltimore at 01:00 and was on its way to Colombo in Sri Lanka, according to MarineTraffic, a ship tracking platform.
Drone pilots: The FAA has flight restrictions in place around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Do not interfere with rescue operations. If you fly, emergency response operations cannot. bit.ly/3PEpqmt #NoDroneZone
The chief of the Baltimore fire services, James Wallace, said that two people were pulled from the sea – one of them is in serious condition. He added that authorities are looking for “probably seven people,” but that number may change. At the moment it is not clear if the two who were rescued are among the seven reported missing.
According to documentation published on the social network X, it seems thatThe freighter hit In one of the supporting pillars of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed from it.
“A multi-casualty event is developing”
“This is a serious emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. Although according to him it is too early to know how many people were injured in the incident, he described the collapse of the bridge as “an event with many casualties developing”.
The water temperature in the Patapsco River in the early morning hours was eight degrees Celsius – according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
closure
Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore, yesterday Photo: Tom Brenner/Reuters
Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore, yesterday Photo: Tom Brenner/Reuters
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named following the author of the US national anthem, was inaugurated in 1977, spans the Patapsco River and is at the entrance to the busy port in Baltimore, which is considered an important maritime transport artery. Cartwright said that it appears that part of the freighter’s cargo was suspended from the bridge.
The ship hit the support column of the bridge
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to allocate federal resources to address the bridge collapse. Members of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, are also on the scene. Transportation authorities in Maryland have announced the suspension of traffic at the port of Baltimore until further notice. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed the airfield in the bridge area to flights to allow rescue workers to continue aerial searches for are missing. Several helicopters have been hovering over the bridge and its surroundings for several hours. The FAA also warned residents not to fly drones in the area.
Synergy Marine Group, which owns the freighter Dali, confirmed that the vessel hit a support column of the bridge around 1:30am. The company also said that all of the ship’s crew members, including two captains, received treatment and no injuries were reported. The Shipping and Ports Authority of Singapore said there were 22 crew members on board the ship.
Close Photo: Julia Nikhinson/Reuters Close
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore following the cargo ship hit it, today Photo: Nathan Howard/Reuters
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore following the cargo ship hit it, today Photo: Nathan Howard/Reuters
The scene of the disaster, today Photo: Julia Nikhinson/Reuters
The scene of the disaster, today Photo: Julia Nikhinson/Reuters Photo: Nathan Howard/Reuters Photo: Julia Nikhinson/Reuters
The Danish shipping company Maersk announced that the ship that collided with the bridge was operated on its behalf. “We are shocked by what happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all the victims,” the company said in a statement.
CNN: The ship was involved in an incident in Belgium in 2016
CNN reported that the cargo ship “Dali” was involved in an incident in the port of Antwerp in Belgium in 2016, and the country’s authorities confirmed the report. At the moment it is not clear what incident this is.
Cartwright said several vehicles, including a semi-trailer truck, were on the bridge when the ship struck it.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, and Baltimore County Chief Olshevsk, posted on the social network that emergency and rescue forces are working in the area of the accident and performing rescue operations. “All lanes were closed in both directions on the Key Bridge on Interstate 695,” the Maryland Transportation Authority said in a message posted on the X network.
Closing Photo: Nathan Ellgren/AP
Scott told reporters that “all the talk now has to focus on people, on life, on souls. There are people in the water and we have to get them out, and that’s the only thing we’re talking regarding.” The Baltimore Police Chief said there was no indication that the incident was caused on purpose.
The White House said that it is “closely monitoring” the situation in Baltimore and that its “heart goes out” to the families of the missing following the “terrible event”. “Senior White House officials are contacting the governor and the mayor to offer any federal assistance they need. There is no indication of malicious intent.” And it was also reported that President Joe Biden was informed of the details of the incident.
In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire. Following the incident, the authorities temporarily closed all the main roads leading to the city.
