Summary

In a stunning turn of events, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland collapsed following a collision with a cargo vessel early Tuesday morning. The bridge, a crucial transportation artery accommodating over 11 million vehicles annually, suffered catastrophic damage when the 948-foot cargo ship lost power and collided with its structure. Tragically, a construction crew of eight workers was on the bridge at the time, with only two individuals rescued thus far. Recovery efforts, hindered by challenging conditions, continue in hopes of locating the missing workers. The incident has prompted a shutdown of the bustling Port of Baltimore, disrupting national supply chains and prompting a full investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Amid promises of reconstruction, the full extent of the disaster's human and economic toll looms large.

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In shocking news, the Francis Scott Key Bridge located in Baltimore, Maryland has catastrophically collapsed after a cargo vessel crashed into it early Tuesday morning around 1:30 AM.

The tragic chain of events began unfolding around 1:25 AM when the massive 984 -foot Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Dali container ship experienced a total power blackout, losing all engine and electrical power while underway on the Patapsco River. As the 984-foot vessel went adrift, dark smoke began billowing from its chimney as its lights flickered on and off. The ship appeared to veer off course a minute later, before slamming into one of the bridge's supporting structures at around 1:30 AM at a speed of 9 mph.

The massive container ship struck one of the bridge's supporting structures spanning the Patapsco River. Dramatic video footage captures the moment the over 1.5 mile long bridge carrying Interstate 695 appears to snap, with large sections then tumbling into the waters below. Fortunately, officials were notified of the blackout before the crash occurred, preventing vehicles from crossing the bridge at the time and potentially saving many lives.

Sources believe that a construction crew of 8 workers was on the bridge doing roadwork when the unthinkable occurred. In the immediate aftermath, a frantic rescue operation labeled a "mass casualty event" was launched by the Baltimore Fire Department.

So far, only 2 of the 8 workers have been rescued - one uninjured and one transported to a trauma center in serious condition. As of Tuesday evening, 6 workers remain missing and are presumed dead according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which has ended active search and rescue efforts due to the low 49 degree Fahrenheit water temperature and length of time passed since the catastrophe struck.

However, recovery operations are expected to continue, with dive teams being deployed on Wednesday morning to try and locate the missing workers in the debris-filled waters. Their chances of survival are slim after over 18 hours submerged according to experts.

In addition to the construction workers, authorities have detected at least 5 vehicles, including a cement truck, that were on the bridge and are now submerged in the river after the shocking impact and collapse. While no additional victims have been confirmed, officials have not ruled out that more vehicles may have plunged into the Patapsco when the bridge gave way.

Looking ahead, the catastrophic bridge failure and closure of this critical interstate transportation corridor linking Baltimore's Inner Harbor to the Chesapeake Bay is expected to have widespread and long-lasting impacts. The Port of Baltimore has been shut down to all ship traffic, likely forcing cargo vessels destined for the key East Coast hub to be rerouted to other major ports. This could further strain already-backlogged U.S. supply chains.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has warned the bridge collapse will significantly disrupt national supply chains until the channel can be reopened to sea traffic, whenever that may be. The National Transportation Safety Board has already launched a full investigation into the cause of the disaster, with a team of 24 experts probing factors like the ship's operations, bridge structural integrity, and more. The bridge helps transport over 31,000 vehicles daily and roughly 11 million vehicles annually.

Both Maryland Governor Wes Moore and President Joe Biden have vowed that the Francis Scott Key Bridge will be rebuilt, with the federal government covering the costs of the massive infrastructure project. However, the human toll, severe economic impacts on Baltimore's seaport, and lingering aftermath from one of America's most shocking bridge collapses in decades remain to be calculated.

Six presumed dead after cargo ship crash levels Baltimore bridge | NBC News

Baltimore bridge collapse: What happened and what do we know about the ship? | Reuters