According to the ship monitoring website MarineTraffic, a container vessel named the Dali, flying the flag of Singapore, was observed halted beneath the bridge early on Tuesday.
In Washington, a significant
bridge in the city of Baltimore suffered near-complete collapse on Tuesday
following a collision with a container ship. The impact caused numerous
vehicles and potentially up to 20 individuals to plummet into the harbor below.
Dramatic footage captured the
moment a 300-meter vessel struck a support of the Francis Scott Key Bridge,
leading to the steel structure collapsing into the Patapsco River. The video
depicts the bridge buckling and collapsing in sections, with a portion even
cantilevering upwards before plunging into the water, accompanied by small
explosions.
Kevin Cartwright from the Baltimore Fire Department indicated that a
mass-casualty incident involving multiple agencies was underway, with reports
suggesting the presence of vehicles, including potentially a tractor-trailer,
on the bridge at the time of the collapse. The footage also revealed the ship
experiencing two periods of darkness before the collision, accompanied by thick
black smoke from its funnel, hinting at engine activity.
Following the incident at approximately 1:30 am (0530 GMT), an extensive
emergency response commenced, with divers deployed to search for survivors
despite challenges posed by the water temperature of around 48 Fahrenheit (8.8
Celsius). Photographs from the scene depict debris from the bridge resting on
the ship's deck, complicating rescue efforts due to unstable containers stacked
several high.
A former Baltimore fire department worker, who had a view of the bridge
from his bedroom window, described being awakened by what felt like an
earthquake accompanied by a prolonged rumble resembling thunder.
Observing emergency lights in the vicinity, he ventured out to witness a
multi-agency response to the unfolding disaster. The 1.6-mile-long
(2.6-kilometer) bridge crosses the Patapsco River southwest of Baltimore,
serving as a vital link in the city's transportation network since its opening
in 1977.
Handling over 11 million vehicles annually, equivalent to around 31,000
per day, it plays a crucial role in Baltimore's industrial landscape on the US
East Coast, adjacent to the nation's capital, Washington.
Urging drivers to steer clear, the Maryland Transportation Authority
labeled the affected area, a segment of the I-695 interstate highway, as an
"active scene." MarineTraffic data revealed a Singapore-flagged
container ship named the Dali stationed beneath the bridge early on Tuesday,
with logs indicating its journey from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Synergy Marine Group, the vessel's operator, acknowledged its
involvement, activating its Qualified Individual Incident response service
while confirming the safety of all crew and pilots. US Secretary of
Transportation Pete Buttigieg, via social media, expressed coordination with
Baltimore's mayor and Maryland's governor, extending federal assistance as
rescue operations continued.
Emphasizing adherence to local responders' directives on detours and
emergency measures, Buttigieg underscored the ongoing efforts to address the
situation. Baltimore, a pivotal hub in the United States' maritime trade,
manages substantial cargo flows, including vehicles, containers, forest
products, and project cargo, as outlined by the city's port authority.