A container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, triggering a massive collapse early Tuesday morning that plunged dozens of people into the chilly waters below.
So far, two people have been rescued, including one in serious condition, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace told reporters during an early-morning press conference. He added that search and rescue crews are also still scouring waters under the bridge for “upwards of” seven more people.
“We are still very much in an active search and rescue posture at this point, and we will continue to be for some time,” Wallace said..
At least a dozen vehicles were on the Baltimore bridge, a 1.6-mile-long, four-lane passageway stretching across Patapsco River, when the collision occurred around 1:30 a.m. The vessel, called Dali, seemingly slammed into one of the bridge’s supports, causing it to crumble and fall into the water, a cold 47 degrees at the time. The cargo ship, which is owned by Synergy Marine Group, also immediately burst into flames upon impact.
Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, called it a “developing mass casualty event,” but said the number of people on the bridge at the time of the collapse was still unclear. Those aboard the boat, two pilots and a crew, have meanwhile all been accounted for, Synergy Marine Group confirmed.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has since declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed.
“Never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of an action movie,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, calling it “an unthinkable tragedy.”
With News Wire Services
