International Courant
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed within the early hours of Tuesday morning after a collision with a ship, wherein a number of persons are believed to have fallen into the water.
The bridge carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River, southeast of the Baltimore metropolitan space.
Based on police, the incident came about round 1:30 am on Tuesday. Based on Paul Wiedefeld, secretary of the Maryland Division of Transportation, a big container ship struck the bridge in a single day whereas contractors had been engaged on the bridge.
Wiedefeld stated the incident is an lively search and rescue mission and vessel site visitors out and in of the Port of Baltimore has been suspended till additional discover.
“This can be a very massive incident, it includes a really massive footprint,” James W. Wallace, chief of the Baltimore Metropolis Hearth Division, stated at a information convention.
He famous that seven persons are believed to have fallen into the water right now. Two individuals had been rescued, one in all whom was transported to a trauma middle in very critical situation.
The metal body of the Francis Scott Key Bridge rests on prime of a container ship after it struck the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on March 26, 2024.
Roberto Schmidt | AFP | Getty Photographs
The hearth chief stated sonar scans had detected the presence of submerged automobiles however couldn’t reveal what number of had been concerned.
“The newest data now we have on the ship’s crew is that they’re nonetheless on board the ship,” Wallace stated, including that rescue officers should first conduct a harm evaluation of the ship earlier than boarding. Requested if the ship had any technical issues, he stated: “We do not have that data.”
“There may be completely no indication that there was any terrorism, that this was accomplished deliberately,” a Baltimore police spokesman stated throughout Tuesday’s briefing. “There may be completely no indication that this was intentional.”
The bridge was accomplished in 1977 and was named after Francis Scott Key, whose poem was the idea for the American nationwide anthem.
Maersk confirms constitution ship
The ship that collided with the bridge has been recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The metal body of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits atop a container ship after the bridge collapsed on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Photographs
“USCG confirms the vessel is a 1,000-foot DALI vessel. USCG has deployed three response boats and responders are en route from the Sector Maryland-Nationwide Capital Area,” Matthew West of the U.S. Coast Guard informed NBC Information.
Transport particulars signifies that the Singapore-flagged container ship is managed by Synergy Marine Group, which stated in an announcement that each one 22 crew members on board, together with two pilots, had been counted.
“Whereas the precise reason behind the incident is but to be decided, the ‘DALI’ has now mobilized its certified particular person incident response service,” the group stated. “The U.S. Coast Guard and native officers have been notified and the homeowners and managers are absolutely cooperating with federal and state authorities businesses underneath an accepted plan.”
Maritime site visitors information suggests the ship was certain for Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Maersk later confirmed that it had chartered the ship.
“We will verify that the container ship ‘DALI’, operated by constitution ship firm Synergy Group, is time-chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk buyer cargo. There have been no Maersk crew or personnel on board the ship,” the corporate stated.
“We’re intently monitoring the investigations by the authorities and Synergy and can do our utmost to maintain our clients knowledgeable.”
The Maritime and Ports Authority of Singapore stated in an announcement it “will present the U.S. Coast Guard with full cooperation in its investigations.”
State of emergency
Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s workplace stated rescue crews remained on scene after the bridge collapsed.
Baltimore Police Chief Richard Worley speaks alongside Mayor Brandon Scott (R) and Hearth Chief James Wallace (L) at a information convention concerning the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024.
Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Photographs
“I’ve declared a state of emergency right here in Maryland and we’re working with an interagency group to shortly deploy federal assets from the Biden administration,” the governor stated.
“We’ll stay in shut contact with federal, state and native entities conducting rescue efforts as we proceed to evaluate and reply to this tragedy.”
Correction: This text has been up to date to mirror that the Francis Scott Key Bridge carries Interstate 695 and crosses the Patapsco River.
