A portion of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which is a major thoroughfare and a shipping hub along the East Coast, fell early on Tuesday morning following a collision with a container ship that threw people into the water.
What Caused The Tragedy
The 948-foot container ship Dali was involved in the collision with the bridge, according to U.S. Coast Guard public information officer Matthew West, who spoke with NPR. According to MarineTraffic, a marine data portal, the ship flying the Singapore flag departed Baltimore at one in the morning and was on its route to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
A boat struck the bridge with such force that it crumbled and sank into the Patapsco River. Due to an issue, all lanes were closed on the I-695 Key Bridge in both directions. The Maryland Transportation Authority wrote on X, “Traffic is being rerouted.
The flow of traffic suddenly stopped. It was necessary to divert several drivers. According to reports on X, the fire department and the Coast Guard are among the agencies that have now declared a mass casualty situation. According to the BBC, a representative for the Baltimore City Fire Department has additionally verified that the collapse qualifies as a “mass casualty event.”
The Baltimore City Fire Department Comments On The Situation
The Baltimore City Fire Department’s chief of communications, Kevin Cartwright, acknowledged to the BBC that “as many as seven individuals and several vehicles” had fallen into the river. Currently, there is a multi-agency rescue operation in progress. The US Coast Guard and other Maryland authorities are working with the fire department, which is in charge of it.
There are currently no reports of injuries. Nevertheless, following the fall of the bridge, several workers are probably in the water, according to Baltimore’s city police.
“I am aware of the situation at the Key Bridge and remain in regular communication with my Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Operations,” wrote Johnny Olszewski Jr., the county executive for Baltimore, on X. Additionally, I communicate with the Baltimore Mayor and the Executive of Anne Arundel County. There are currently rescue operations in progress. Pray for the people affected, please.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge
The 3-kilometer-long Francis Scott Key Bridge is a section of the I-95 freeway. It connects Miami, Florida, to Maine. The bridge also serves as the primary north-south route on the East Coast of the United States. Furthermore, the bridge is a section of Interstate 695, an artery of Interstate 95, a significant roadway that stretches along the U.S. East Coast from north to south.
Dedicated to the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the 1.6-mile bridge is situated approximately 45 miles northeast of Washington, D.C., and was inaugurated in 1977.
Follow Us:
Youtube | Google News |
Igniteds is on YouTube; click here to subscribe for the latest videos and updates.
