A significant part of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed Tuesday morning after a container ship crashed into it. Officials have confirmed that two individuals were rescued in the aftermath of the bridge collapse and that six individuals currently remain unaccounted for.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told reporters Tuesday that eight individuals were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed.
As of 6:30 on Tuesday morning, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace confirmed that two people had been rescued from the cold Patapsco River, with one of the individuals being transported to a trauma center in very serious condition, according to WBAL TV. Wallace confirmed that a rescue operation remains ongoing as officials believe six people are still missing.
According to Fox 5, a large portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed around 1:30 a.m. after the “Dali” container ship crashed into one of the bridge’s support pillars. The bridge collapse reportedly caused multiple vehicles to fall into the Patapsco River. Fox 5 also reported that the crash caused a fire on the “Dali,” sending thick smoke into the Baltimore sky.
A video posted on X, formerly Twitter, shows the moment the container ship crashed into the bridge, causing it to collapse.
“This is a dire emergency,” Baltimore Fire Department Communications Director Kevin Cartwright said in a statement to the Associated Press. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.” He told the outlet that the bridge collapse was a “developing mass casualty event.”
According to The Associated Press, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also commented on the incident, describing it as “an unthinkable tragedy.”
“Never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that,” Scott said. “It looked like something out of an action movie.”
READ MORE: Video/Pic: Firefighters rescue semi-truck driver dangling off bridge
Synergy Marine Group, the company that owns and manages the “Dal,” confirmed that the ship crashed into one of the pillars of the bridge early Tuesday morning in a statement on the company’s website.
“Owners and managers of the Singapore-flagged container ship ‘DALI’ (IMO 9697428) report that the vessel collided with one of the pillars of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore whilst under pilotage with two pilots onboard,” Synergy Marine Group stated. “All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.”
Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Governor Wes Moore (D-Md.) declared a state of emergency.
“I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore wrote. “We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety.”
Raws Alerts shared a video on social media showing the devastating aftermath of Tuesday’s tragic bridge collapse.
