On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore, sections of the Francis Scott Key Bridge endured despite a container ship colliding with one of its supports. The significant bridge suffered a fracture and subsequent collapse when a container ship struck it in the early hours of Tuesday.

What immediate action did emergency responders take following the bridge collapse?

Early on Tuesday morning, a section of a Baltimore bridge, which serves as a vital highway route and a key shipping hub along the East Coast, collapsed following a collision with a container ship. The impact of the crash caused several individuals to fall into the water below. Emergency responders immediately launched a large-scale search-and-rescue effort to locate and assist those affected. Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department, stated that seven individuals were reported to have fallen into the Patapsco River and were currently being searched for. The situation was described as a “developing mass casualty event” by The Associated Press.

What details did Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott provide about the incident?

Emergency responders have swiftly been sent to the scene, as confirmed by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. The vessel involved in the collision with the bridge was identified as the Dali, a 948-foot container ship, according to information provided by U.S. Coast Guard public information officer Matthew West to NPR. MarineTraffic, a marine data platform, revealed that the Singapore-flagged ship departed from Baltimore at 1 a.m. and was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Before the bridge collapse, both lanes of traffic had already been closed, as communicated by the Maryland Transportation Authority on X.

The bridge forms a crucial part of I-695, which is a vital link of Interstate 95, a significant highway that stretches along the Eastern coast of the United States from north to south. 

This bridge, spanning a length of 1.6 miles, holds historical significance as it is named after the renowned writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner“. It was inaugurated back in 1977 and is situated approximately 45 miles northeast of Washington, D.C.

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