Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore after a cargo ship crashed into it Tuesday morning
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A search and rescue mission is underway for at least six people who have been missing since a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on Tuesday morning.
Around 1:30am EDT, a cargo-carrying vessel called the Dali crashed into a pillar of the bridge approximately 30 minutes after setting sail on its 27-day journey to Sri Lanka.
Footage of the incident showed the 1.6-mile-long bridge collapsing into the water moments later.
Local, state and federal officials convened on Tuesday to provide updates on the mission and investigation into the incident.
It is still unclear what caused the accident at this time, but Maryland Governor Wes Moore said that the ship made a mayday call just ahead of the accident. Some crew aboard the ship told authorities they lost power moments beforehand.
The call gave people on the bridge enough time to prevent cars from continuing on the bridge, saving lives.
However, eight individuals are believed to have fallen in the water. Two individuals were rescued and one is currently in the hospital.
Ship was moving at ‘very rapid speed’ when it crashed
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the Dali container ship was moving towards the bridge at a “very rapid speed” when it crashed into the bridge.
He said crews called a “mayday’ – an emergency signal – but the vessel’s speed appeared to be too fast to avoid the incident.
However, he said the distress call did ensure more cars were stopped from crossing the bridge, which prevented more vehicles from falling into the water.
“These people are heroes,” he said. “They saved lives last night.”
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 14:32
Maryland governor: ‘Our state is in shock’
“This morning, our state is in shock,” Maryland governor Wes Moore said at a press conference, adding that the response teams are doing everything in their power to rescue and recover victims of the collapse.
“To the victims of this tragedy and their loved ones: All of our hearts are broken,” he said.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 14:16
Victim in hospital believed to be part of the work crew
Maryland governor Wes Moore has confirmed that the victim in hospital in a serious condition after being rescued from the water is believed to have been part of the work crew who were on the bridge when it collapsed.
Another person was rescued uninjured. At least six people remain unaccounted for, the governor said.
Officials said that they do not believe there are any people who were in vehicles who may be in the water.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 14:08
Governor denies that there were any structural issues with the bridge
Maryland governor Wes Moore has denied that there were any structural issues with the bridge.
Asked by a reporter whether there were any structural issues that led to the collapse of the bridge, Mr Moore said the bridge was “fully up to code,” but added that authorities are still investigating the incident.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 14:06
Crew on bridge when it collapsed ‘fixing pot holes, has nothing to do with structural issues’
Authorities confirmed that the crew who were working on the bridge when it collapsed were “fixing pot holes,” which had “nothing to do with structural issues.”
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 14:02
Maryland governor: Preliminary investigation points to an accident
Maryland governor Wes Moore said a preliminary investigation points to an accident.
‘We haven’t seen any credible information of a terrorist attack,” he said. “We pray for the construction workers who were on the Key bridge.”
He continued: “I recognize that many of us are hurting right, that many of us are scared right now.
“We are Maryland tough, and we are Baltimore strong.”
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 13:59
Maryland received ‘grade C’ for its infrastructure in 2020
the American Society of Civil Engineers releases a report assessing the infrastructure in multiple US cities every four years, grading everything from aviation, drinking water, roads and solid waste from a grade F to A.
A 2020 report for Maryland describes the city’s bridges as “improving,” adding “the number of structures in poor condition in the state continues to decline.”
It said approximately 5.1 per cent of Maryland’s bridges are listed as poor condition, compared to the national average of 8.4 per cent.
“This figure has decreased for more than 20 years thanks to a concentrated effort by the Maryland Department of Transportation and the local jurisdictions. However, Maryland bridge owners face growing challenges associated with an aging bridge stock,” the report added.
It also highlighted that the average age of bridges in Maryland is 48, adding that this means “they are approaching the end of their 50-year lifespan.”
Meanwhile, approximately 25 per cent of bridges in Maryland are over 60 years old, the report said.
“Performing routine maintenance and repairs can extend the service life of a bridge, but such maintenance requires funding. With Maryland facing an expected decrease in state and federal funding in the near future, the condition of its bridges is threatened, possibly leading to consequences to the state’s economic competitiveness,” the report said.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 13:52
NTSB sending team to investigate Baltimore bridge collapse
The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is sending a team to investigate the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 13:35
The Wire fans left devastated by collapse of Key Bridge in Baltimore
Fans of the acclaimed television show, The Wire have been paying their tributes to the Key Bridge in Baltimore.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland has collapsed after a huge container ship crashed into the structure in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The Singapore-flagged Dali ship steered into one of the bridge’s pillars after appearing to lose power. The collision caused the 1.6m long bridge to fall into the Patapsco River below, including multiple cars that were travelling on the bridge at the time.
Greg Evans reports:
The Wire fans left devastated by collapse of Key Bridge in Baltimore
Fans of the acclaimed television show, The Wire have been paying their tributes to the Key Bridge in Baltimore.The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland has collapsed after a huge container ship crashed into the structure in the early hours of Tuesday morning.The Singapore-flagged Dali shi…
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 13:30
At least seven people are still missing after the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse. Here’s everything we know
Two people have so far been pulled from the river. One was transported to a trauma unit and is in a serious condition, while the other had not reportedly suffered any injuries.
Amelia Neath reports:
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 13:15