A bridge in the American city of Baltimore in Maryland collapsed on Tuesday morning after being hit by a ship, reported US news website CNN. The traffic on the Patapsco River, over which the Francis Scott Key Bridge was built, is now being diverted, CNN quoted Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA).
The casualty figure in the crash, which occurred around 1.30 AM local time, is unavailable at the moment. The BBC reported that several workers and multiple vehicles might have fallen into the river as a result of the crash.
🚨🇺🇸BREAKING: BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE – POSSIBLE MASS CASUALTY EVENT
A large container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing significant parts of it to collapse.
Emergency services are searching for multiple cars and people who may have fallen into… pic.twitter.com/WujjcEOMc7
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 26, 2024
All lanes on the Patapsco were closed as the 47-year-old bridge collapsed. British media website The Independent reported the Maryland State Police taking stock of the situation over the bridge crash site on a chopper.
All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured. #MDTraffic
— MDTA (@TheMDTA) March 26, 2024
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M Scott said he was rushing to the incident site and was in touch with the Baltimore Fire Department, Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski (Jr) said efforts to rescue those impacted in the incident are under way
I’m aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge. I have been in contact with @BaltimoreFire Chief Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway.
— Brandon M. Scott (@MayorBMScott) March 26, 2024
MV Dali, the ship that crashed into the bridge, was built in 2015 and was sailed under a Singapore flag. The Baltimore City Fire Department said that it was a “mass casualty event”, according to the BBC.
