Baltimore Bridge Collapses After Being Hit By Ship – Rescuers Desperately Searching Waters

Baltimore is grappling with a potential “mass casualty” incident after a ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on early Tuesday.

The collision led to the collapse of the iconic bridge and is believed to have sent as many as 20 individuals plunging into the frigid waters below, according to a fire official speaking to CNN. Footage has since been uploaded to social media showing the moment the impact occurred:

Dive teams and search and rescue units are currently engaged in efforts to locate and assist individuals in the Patapsco River.

Reports indicate that multiple vehicles, including a tractor-trailer, may have plummeted into the water following the bridge collapse, as stated by Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department.

Initial reports indicate that the ship, traveling outbound from Baltimore, struck a bridge column around 1:30AM ET, prompting a swift emergency response from local agencies.

Footage showed the moment the ship collided with the bridge. Credit: StreamTimeLive

Cartwright described the situation as a “dire emergency,” emphasizing the primary focus on rescuing and recovering those affected by the incident.

The presence of cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge has further complicated rescue efforts, rendering conditions unsafe for emergency responders. All traffic has been diverted, with the Maryland Transportation Authority taking necessary precautions.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, responding to the unfolding crisis, conveyed his immediate involvement, stating he was en route to the scene. “Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” Mayor Scott confirmed in a social media update.

Video footage capturing the collision vividly portrays the ship’s impact on the bridge’s support column, triggering a rapid collapse of sections into the river below. Plumes of smoke and fire billowed into the air as the bridge succumbed to the force of the collision, with remnants engulfed in flames.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in 2018. Credit: Mark Wilson / Getty

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, spanning 1.6 miles over the Patapsco River, serves as a crucial artery within Baltimore’s transportation network, forming a vital link of Interstate-695, also known as the Baltimore Beltway.

The bridge’s historical significance, named after Francis Scott Key, ties back to the War of 1812 when Key famously penned the lyrics to the “Star Spangled Banner” following his observation of the bombardment of Fort McHenry.