Six Presumed Dead Following Collision of Ship with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge
A catastrophic event occurred when a ship collided with Baltimore’s landmark Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in its partial collapse and six individuals presumed deceased, according to the Coast Guard. The tragic incident unfolded as several vehicles were traversing the over 2.6km bridge when it succumbed to the impact of the container ship’s collision with a support structure. An emergency distress call was made by the ship shortly before the collision, citing a “power issue” as the cause.
A comprehensive search and rescue operation was launched, involving boats and helicopters, to find the six missing individuals. Despite efforts, two were rescued, one of whom is in serious condition, while the rest are presumed dead, as stated by Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath. The victims were identified as construction workers engaged in bridge maintenance.
The container ship, flagged by Singapore and named Dali, was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, from the Port Breeze terminal when it reportedly lost propulsion, leading to the disaster. Maryland Governor Wes Moore confirmed that the ship’s crew had reported a power failure moments before striking the bridge, which has stood for 47 years.
The incident has initiated a large-scale rescue operation led by various Maryland agencies, with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott emphasizing the focus on rescuing the individuals. Structural assessments are underway to understand the impact of the collapse.
Synergy Marine Group, the ship’s operator, stated that all 22 Indian crew members were safe and cooperating with investigations to determine the cause. Shipping firm Maersk, which had chartered the Dali, expressed its horror and concern for those affected.
President Joe Biden has pledged federal support for the search and rescue efforts and the subsequent rebuilding of the bridge, emphasizing the need for swift action to mitigate the impact of this tragedy.
