How a Cargo Ship Led to the Collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a container ship that lost power hit a support column, sending vehicles and about 20 people into the Patapsco River
The accident happened on 26 March around 1:30 a.m. local time, and emergency crews received numerous 911 calls reporting the disaster.
The ship lost electricity leading to loss in the propulsion capability which lead to this collision.
The accident happened on 26 March around 1:30 a.m. local time, and emergency crews received numerous 911 calls reporting the disaster.
6 People are missing and are presumed dead; 2 were rescued, Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath of the US Coast Guard said at a news conference.
All eight people were part of a construction crew filling potholes on the bridge when the accident occurred.
One of the rescued workers was unhurt, and the other was treated at the University of Maryland Medical Center and has been discharged.
The Maryland Transportation Authority redirected traffic to other routes after the incident prompted a shutdown of all lanes on the 1.6-mile Francis Scott Key Bridge.
As the bridge collapsed, plumes of fire and smoke shot skyward, and black smoke blew into the sky for several minutes.
The Key Bridge is an important part of Baltimore’s transportation network and provides a crucial link for Interstate 695, or the Baltimore Beltway.