In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, tragedy struck Baltimore. Around 1:30 a.m. reports came in that the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. The bridge was struck by a cargo ship charted by Danish shipping company Maersk. It was all caught on a live stream (see below). In the live stream, you can see the ship’s lights go dark, then the moment of collision, a billow of black smoke, and then fire. The collison caused several portions of the bridge to plunge into the Patapsco River.
Key Bridge Collapse
According to multiple outlets, the portion of the bridge that collapsed was the steel superstructure. The concrete bridge appeared to remain intact.
“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference early Tuesday morning. “This is a tragedy you can never imagine. Never did you think you would see the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of a movie … Our focus should be the preservation of life.”
A State Of Emergency
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared an official state of emergency. At the time of collision, it has been confirmed that vehicles were on the bridge.
In fact, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace confirmed authorities have detected vehicles submerged in the water.
“Our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water,” said Wallace at a news conference on the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge. “I don’t have a count of that yet.”
Specifically, emergency services are using sonar, drones and infrared technology as a part of their search for people and vehicles who may have fallen from the Key Bridge into the Patapsco River.
At this time, two people have already been rescued from the water while approximately seven remain unaccounted for.
Chief Richard Worley of the Baltimore police said in a news conference, “there is absolutely no indication that there’s any terrorism, that this was done on purpose.”
The FBI is on board to help investigate the cause of the collision.
About The Francis Scott Key Bridge
Opened in March 1977, the bridge spans 1.6 miles across the Patapsco River. It served as a major connecting point for the Charm City becoming the final link for the Baltimore Beltway (Interstate 695).
Indeed, the Patapsco River remains one of the most vital means for shipping on the East Coast.
Furthermore, it’s historic. It’s where our country’s National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” was born by composer Francis Scott Key — whom the bridge is named after.
“Scholars believe the span crosses within 100 yards of the site where Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry on the evening of Sept. 12, 1814,” according to the MDTA.
As search and rescue efforts continue during this tragic time, a live stream is available here.