In the early hours of a Tuesday morning, a catastrophe struck Baltimore, shaking the city to its core. The prestigious Francis Scott Key Bridge, an iconic landmark of the city, experienced a calamitous event that led to its untimely collapse. A container vessel, powerless and uncontrolled, crashed into the bridge, causing an immediate and terrifying structural failure.
The ship, named ‘Dali’, was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it lost power. The lack of control led to the vessel colliding with one of the bridge’s pillars, triggering a rapid and catastrophic collapse. The collapse was so swift and shocking that witnesses compared it to a scene from an action film.
As the bridge crumbled into the Patapsco River, several unfortunate vehicles and a construction crew working on the bridge plunged into the frigid waters. Two people were rescued from the water, but six others remained unaccounted for.
Immediately after the incident, a massive rescue operation was launched to find the missing people. Sonar detection helped identify vehicles submerged in the approximately 50 feet deep river. The water temperature was around 47 degrees Fahrenheit, adding to the urgency of the rescue efforts.
In the midst of the calamity, heroes emerged. These brave individuals were the people who managed to stop cars from crossing the bridge just seconds before the collapse, potentially saving numerous lives. Maryland’s governor, Wes Moore, acknowledged their bravery, stating, “These people are heroes. They saved lives last night.”
The bridge’s collapse is expected to cause significant disruption along the East Coast. It has led to the suspension of all vessel traffic to and from the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports on the East Coast. The logistical nightmare could last for months, if not years, affecting both cargo and commuter traffic.
The incident has understandably left the city in shock. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott referred to the event as an “unthinkable tragedy.” Additionally, state Senator Johnny Ray Salling expressed concern about the impact on the entire East Coast, stating, “Losing this bridge will devastate the entire area, as well as the entire East Coast.”
While the rescue operations continue, investigations into the cause of the incident have begun. The FBI is present at the scene, but there is no credible information suggesting any links to terrorism. The ship’s management company, Synergy Marine Group, confirmed that the vessel was under the control of one or more pilots at the time of the incident.
The ‘Dali’ is a considerable vessel, with a length of about 985 feet and a width of about 157 feet. It was flying under a Singapore flag, according to data from Marine Traffic. The ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd and was chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” is an integral part of Baltimore’s infrastructure. Opened in 1977, the bridge spans 1.6 miles across the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. It serves as a critical link for thousands of commuters every day.
