BREAKING! Baltimore Bridge Collapses Into Water. People Fall Into the River

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, Baltimore was jolted by a catastrophic event: a portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed into the Patapsco River. The incident has triggered an extensive search-and-rescue mission as emergency teams rush to address the emergency.

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What Caused the Baltimore Bridge Collapse?

Around 1:30 a.m., the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a section of Interstate 695, collapsed following a collision with a large container ship. The vessel involved was the Dali, a 948-foot container ship, as reported by U.S. Coast Guard Public Information Officer Matthew West. Departing from Baltimore at approximately 1 a.m., the Singapore-flagged ship was heading towards Colombo, Sri Lanka. The collision led to the shutdown of traffic in both lanes, resulting in significant disruptions on I-695, a crucial segment of Interstate 95 along the Eastern coast.

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Search for Survivors Continues

The collapse of the bridge, which was inaugurated in 1977 and extends 1.6 miles over the Patapsco River, prompted swift action from emergency responders and local officials. Divers were dispatched to search for any individuals who may have been in the water during the collapse. Named after the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the bridge holds both historical and infrastructural significance, located approximately 45 miles northeast of Washington, D.C.

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State of Emergency

Following the disaster, Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency, vowing to utilize federal resources to aid in response and recovery efforts. Ship tracking data indicated that the Dali collided with one of the bridge's pillars, resulting in its collapse. The vessel's management company verified the safety of all crew members, including two pilots.

The shutdown of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a 1.6-mile, four-lane structure crucial for regional transportation, emphasized the fragility of infrastructure and emphasized the necessity for comprehensive emergency preparedness protocols. Serving as a vital component of Baltimore's transportation grid, the bridge plays a pivotal role in the region's economy, facilitating shipping operations that generate over $3.3 billion annually and directly employing thousands of individuals.

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Scary Footage!

The dramatic incident unfolded on video, capturing smoke rising from the vessel as the bridge and its adjoining roadway collapsed into the river. Promptly responding to the scene were emergency services, including the Baltimore Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to the Baltimore Fire Department, multiple vehicles plunged into the river amid the collapse. The situation was further complicated by the vessel catching fire, heightening the urgency of rescue operations. Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott and other local officials promptly intervened, orchestrating efforts to address the unfolding emergency.

The Baltimore Bridge. I cannot get my head around how this could happen. Awful. pic.twitter.com/XeVdz3FsHt

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) March 26, 2024

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. utilized social media to affirm the ongoing rescue endeavors following the Key Bridge incident. He encouraged his followers to extend their thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the situation.

In his statement, Olszewski stated, “I am aware of the situation at the Key Bridge and remain in regular communication with my Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Operations. Rescue efforts are underway. Please pray for those impacted.”

BREAKING: Around 20 people are missing after a ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore causing it to collapse.

Never seen an entire bridge collapse like this in my life, it's scary asf! 💀

Sending prayers to the people affected by this. pic.twitter.com/tMsoroyu1V

— ZDragon (@IBZDRAGON) March 26, 2024

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, often called the Key Bridge, stretches across the Patapsco River, serving as a vital component of the I-95 interstate, linking Miami, Florida, to Maine.

More ‘Scary’ Baltimore Bridge Collapse Footage

Newly surfaced footage online depicts the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore before the tragic incident earlier today. The bridge collapsed after being struck by a container ship, prompting authorities to declare it a 'mass casualty event.'

Initial reports from rescue operations indicated that "seven individuals and several vehicles" may have fallen into the water.

Oh my god, this is gut wrenching.

Praying for Baltimore and to everyone that was on that bridge and their families.

Image just waking up to go to work and this happens 😔

So scary. https://t.co/2zG7jkHiI2

— Fernando Ocasio (@TechPalsTalk) March 26, 2024

As rescue efforts persist to evaluate the scale of the damage and search for possible survivors, updates from authorities are awaited.