In the early hours of Tuesday, a major bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, experienced a devastating collapse following a collision with a container ship, causing numerous vehicles to plunge into the water.
Emergency responders from the Baltimore Fire Department initiated a search for at least seven individuals believed to be in the water. Reports revealed that a 948-foot container ship, bearing the Singapore flag, collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The shipping company Maersk confirmed its charter of the container ship in Baltimore.
Video footage shared online depicted the vessel striking one of the bridge’s central supports, resulting in a section of the 2.6-kilometer bridge collapsing, sending multiple vehicles into the Patapsco River below. The collision sparked a fire on the ship, emitting thick black smoke into the air as portions of the bridge collapsed onto it.
Officials confirmed the successful rescue of two individuals during a pre-dawn press conference, with one suffering severe injuries.