The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has collapsed after a 984-foot cargo ship collided into a support column at about 1:27 a.m. Tuesday morning.
The ship’s lights are said to have begun flickering about 1:24 a.m. and the crew is said to have sent a mayday call just moments before the collision occurred, which enabled authorities to stop additional vehicles from getting on the bridge.
A construction crew was working on the bridge, said to have been correcting potholes. Two workers have been rescued thus far; one is in good condition and the other is said to be in critical condition. Six of the crewmembers are still missing and search and rescue are still trying to recover them.
At the time of impact, the water of the Patapsco River was 48° and the height of the bridge was 185 feet high, 4 lanes wide, spanned across 1.6 miles and connected Sparrows Point to the southernmost tip of Baltimore, which supported the Port of Baltimore.
Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, said President Biden said the federal government will send all support they need for as long as it takes and they will approve emergency funding as soon as they get it.
Governor Wes Moore said they are using air, land and sea resources to try and recover the six missing people. He also said it would be a long road to recovery.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is on scene and will investigate as soon as the Coast Guard has completed the search and rescue operations.
By - FZ
Comments