Container ship collision causes catastrophic bridge collapse in Baltimore

UNITED STATES: In the early hours of 26 March, Baltimore witnessed a catastrophic event as the Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a significant portion of the structure to collapse into the Patapsco River.

This disaster occurred under the cloak of darkness, leading to vehicles and individuals on the bridge being hurled into the chilling waters below.

Immediate rescue operations were launched, resulting in the miraculous recovery of two individuals; one battling life-threatening injuries and the other remarkably unharmed.

The search intensified for the six individuals still missing, as detailed by Maryland’s transportation secretary, who emphasized the dire circumstances and the ongoing efforts to locate and rescue the unaccounted victims.

The incident was precipitated by a sudden loss of propulsion on the part of the Dali as it was exiting the port, rendering the vessel uncontrollable.

ABC News, citing an unclassified US intelligence report, disclosed that the ship’s crew had forewarned Maryland officials of the impending disaster.

“The vessel notified Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of the vessel and a collision with the bridge was possible,” revealed a statement from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Despite desperate attempts to avert the crash, including dropping the ship’s anchors, the Dali struck the bridge, resulting in its catastrophic collapse.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the ship’s manager, Synergy Marine Group, confirmed the sequence of events leading to the accident.

The Dali suffered a “momentary loss of propulsion,” causing it to veer off course and ultimately collide with the bridge. Both entities are cooperating fully with US investigations, with MPA stating, “We have contacted the US Coast Guard, the Office of Marine Safety, and the National Transportation Safety Board to offer assistance as the flag administration,” underscoring their commitment to understanding the cause and preventing future incidents.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital conduit for commuters and commercial traffic aiming to bypass downtown Baltimore, now lies partially submerged.

The disruption threatens severe logistical and economic repercussions, potentially hindering the supply chain and inflating costs for a range of commodities, from automobiles to coal.

Local and state officials have been vocal in their response to the disaster. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott depicted the aftermath as “something out of an action movie… something you never thought you’d see.”

Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, recognizing the urgency of the situation, declared a state of emergency to facilitate the rapid deployment of federal resources.

He lauded the preemptive actions taken just before the collision, stating, “These people are heroes. They saved lives last night,” referencing the decisive steps that mitigated further loss of life.

The bridge’s collapse not only represents a significant loss of infrastructure but also poses substantial environmental and economic challenges.

As Baltimore serves as a crucial node for the import and export of cars and other commodities, the incident threatens to disrupt operations at one of the US East Coast’s major ports significantly.

The timeline of the events, all times in estimated timing:

1:24 a.m.: Lights on the DALI container ship are observed flickering as it makes its way down the Patapsco River, captured by onsite video footage.

1:26 a.m.: Analysis from CNN indicates the vessel starts altering its path, heading towards a pillar of the Key Bridge.

1:26 to 1:27 a.m.: Footage shows the ship’s lights blinking intermittently.

1:27 a.m.: Contact with the Key Bridge occurs, precipitating an immediate collapse of the structure.

1:40 a.m.: Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) is alerted by the 999 centre about a water rescue operation in the Patapsco River, shared by Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace. Responding units are met with reports of several individuals in the water, as calls begin to come in.

1:50 a.m.: Upon arrival at the site, the first fire unit confirms the Key Bridge has entirely collapsed, according to Wallace. He relayed information indicating “likely multiple individuals on the bridge” had fallen into the water. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore revealed to the press that a “mayday” call was issued by the ship’s crew prior to the bridge collision, though the specific time of this call is yet to be determined.

Search efforts, including diver operations, have been ongoing since the early morning to locate crash victims.