Following the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday morning, search and rescue operations are still underway as authorities work tirelessly to locate missing individuals and assess the full extent of the damage.
The collision occurred shortly before 1:30 a.m., prompting a distress call from the ship’s crew and providing critical moments for officials to warn approaching motorists. While initial reports suggest that the incident was an accident, with no indication of terrorist involvement, investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collision.
The cargo ship, reportedly chartered by Maersk but operated by the Synergy Group, experienced a propulsion failure before the collision, according to maritime officials in Singapore, where the vessel is registered. Despite emergency measures taken by the crew, including dropping anchor, they were unable to prevent the crash.
The aftermath of the incident has left multiple cars stranded on the collapsed bridge, with at least six individuals still missing. Local, state, and federal emergency response teams are currently conducting search and rescue operations both by air and boat, with dive teams deployed to search for vehicles and potential victims.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge serves as a vital transportation artery in Baltimore, essential for Interstate 695 and critical to the region’s economy. Questions have been raised about the safety of similar structures elsewhere, prompting officials in Canada to reassess their infrastructure along waterways.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation, with plans to retrieve the voyage data recorder from the ship within the next 24 hours. This isn’t the first time the vessel involved has been in a collision; reports indicate a previous incident in Belgium in 2016.
Baltimore Mayor Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency as cleanup efforts continue and investigations unfold. All traffic has been detoured as authorities work tirelessly to restore normalcy and prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the search for survivors continues and investigations unfold, the impact of this tragic event will resonate deeply within Baltimore and beyond.