Baltimore, Maryland – The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday morning after being struck by a large ship. The bridge serves as a crucial link over the Patapsco River and is an essential part of the Baltimore Beltway.
Rescue crews are currently searching for at least 7 individuals who ended up in the Patapsco River after multiple vehicles fell into the water during the collapse. The incident occurred after a ship, heading outbound from Baltimore, collided with a bridge column. The Baltimore Fire Department has described the situation as a dire emergency.
Video footage captured the moment of impact, showing the ship crashing into one of the bridge’s support columns before causing a section of the structure to fall into the water. The collision resulted in plumes of smoke and fire, with part of the bridge collapsing over the front of the vessel.
Authorities have detoured all traffic and are unsure if there are any injuries as a result of the collapse. The Mayor of Baltimore, Brandon Scott, has stated that emergency personnel are on the scene and are actively responding to the incident.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the composer of the “Star Spangled Banner,” is a significant landmark in Baltimore due to its historical connection to the site where Key was inspired to write the national anthem. The collapse of this bridge has caused disruptions in transportation and raised concerns about infrastructure safety in the area.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.