Baltimore’s Fire Chief, James Wallace, reported that two individuals were rescued from the water, with one sustaining serious injuries. Authorities are currently searching for up to seven more individuals believed to be in the water.
A major commuter bridge in Baltimore collapsed following a collision with a container ship, resulting in vehicles plunging into the water and causing disruption at one of the most vital ports on the US East Coast.
The incident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge occurred early Tuesday, posing significant challenges for shipping activities and road networks in Baltimore.
The vessel involved is the Dali, registered in Singapore and operated by Synergy Marine. It was carrying approximately 4,900 containers at the time of the collision and is on charter to A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency, and the White House is closely monitoring the situation. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has offered support for the ongoing rescue efforts.
The bridge closure ahead of the Easter holiday weekend is expected to cause travel chaos on the heavily trafficked corridor between New York and Washington, DC.
The Port of Baltimore, which handles a significant volume of cargo, faces disruption as 21 vessels are currently in waters affected by the collapsed bridge.
The Dali, which arrived from China, was scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka. Its collision has impacted regional traffic and major companies with facilities in the area, including Amazon, FedEx, Under Armour, Home Depot, BMW, and Volkswagen.
The closure of the bridge will lead to congestion for travellers and businesses, potentially lasting for months, as alternative routes are significantly longer in terms of time and mileage.
