The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland US has snapped and collapsed after a container ship collided with it within the early hours of Tuesday.
A video posted to social media reveals the Francis Scott Key bridge – a vital artery of the US’ Interstate 695 – snapping after which collapsing at roughly 1:30 am Tuesday, as a Singapore-flagged cargo ship measuring 290 metres caught fireplace and collided with the bridge, which spanned 2.6km throughout the Patapsco River.
In line with stories by The Guardian, a number of autos travelling on the bridge on the time had been flung into the water, as plumes of smoke billowed from the scene.
As per MarineTraffic, the ship that collided with the bridge had left Baltimore shortly earlier than the incident at 1 am and was en path to Colombo in Sri Lanka earlier than the collision.
As per the Baltimore Fireplace Division, authorities are looking for at the least seven people, who’re believed to be within the water following the incident.
A social media assertion launched to X by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) famous that the collision was brought on by a ship strike.
“I-695 Key Bridge collapse as a result of ship strike,” the MTA wrote, urging drivers to keep away from the route over the Patapsco River, which was labelled an “energetic scene”.
As per The Guardian, Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore Fireplace Division, stated:
“Our focus proper now could be attempting to rescue and recuperate these folks,” including that the collapse is a “growing mass casualty occasion.”
Cartwright said the rescue operation for the dire emergency introduced with issues, as “cargo or retainers” may very well be seen dangling for the bridge, creating an unsafe and unstable setting, impacting authorities’ rescue operation.
As per the Synergy Marine Group, all crew members and pilots on board the ship are protected, and there have been no stories of any accidents on board the Dali.
Baltimore’s mayor, Brandon M Scott, and county government Johnny Olszewski Jr have assured that emergency personnel had been on scene and rescue efforts had been underway for drivers who had been travelling on the bridge when it collapsed.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge was inbuilt 1977, and named after the creator of the American nationwide anthem, Francis Scott Key.
