In a tragic incident yesterday, the Baltimore Key Bridge, situated in Maryland, collapsed following a collision with a cargo ship that struck one of its support columns.

Officials have disclosed that at least six individuals from a construction crew are still missing and presumed deceased as search and rescue efforts struggle through the submerged debris. Additionally, numerous vehicles reportedly also plunged into the water.

Here’s the current understanding of the situation-
What occurred in Baltimore and when?

At approximately 1:27 am (05:27 GMT) on Tuesday, a container ship collided with a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the city on the East Coast of the United States.

Cars traversing the bridge fell into the Patapsco River, leaving at least six individuals unaccounted for.

The vessel involved, named the Dali, spans 300 meters (984ft) in length; departing Baltimore at 1 am (05:00 GMT), the Singapore-registered ship was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, with an anticipated arrival date of April 22.

The Dali was chartered by the Danish shipping company Maersk.

As per a reports, the ship experienced a “propulsion loss” during its departure from port, prompting the crew to alert Maryland officials about their loss of control over the vessel.

The report referenced an unclassified US intelligence report.

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld stated that local pilots, rather than the crew, were guiding the ship at the time of the incident. These pilots undergo training to prevent accidents such as the one that occurred on Tuesday.

Authorities have confirmed the safety of all 22 crew members aboard the Dali and the two pilots involved, with no reports of injuries.

Where did it occur?
Situated just southeast of central Baltimore, the 2.6km (1.6-mile) four-lane bridge, known as the Francis Scott Key Bridge, pays homage to the author of the Star Spangled Banner, the United States national anthem.

This critical bridge is a crucial component of Baltimore’s road infrastructure, serving as a vital link in the industrial city’s transportation network, northeast of the US capital, Washington, DC.

Notably, the bridge facilitated the passage of over 12 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023 alone.

Baltimore’s port, handling a diverse supply of commodities including farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum, and coal, serves as a crucial hub for imports and exports, catering to major automakers such as Nissan, Toyota, General Motors, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover.

The collapse of the bridge, according to Lars Jensen, an expert in container shipping, will cause significant disruptions for US importers and exporters along the East Coast.

What is known about the individuals involved?

Authorities have indicated that at the time of the collision, eight individuals were present on the bridge, six of whom are currently missing.

These individuals constituted a construction crew engaged in repairing potholes on the bridge.

Kevin Cartwright, spokesperson for the Baltimore City Fire Department, noted that “numerous vehicles and possibly a tractor-trailer… went into the river.”

He described the incident as a “mass-casualty, multiagency event” and emphasized that the operation would last several days.

Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace reported that two individuals have been successfully rescued from the water thus far.

The urgency of the rescue operations is compounded by the water temperature in Baltimore Harbor, approximately 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit), which increases the risk of hypothermia.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hypothermia becomes a concern in water temperatures below 21C (70F).

Additionally, the University of Minnesota warns that at the current water temperatures experienced in Baltimore, individuals may lose coordinated hand and finger movements within five minutes, lose consciousness within 30 to 60 minutes, and face exhaustion within 7 to 40 minutes of swimming, potentially resulting in fatalities within 1 to 3 hours even with flotation devices.

The significance of the low tide for search and rescue efforts is paramount, noting that conditions have become increasingly challenging with the tide’s resurgence.

Is it secure now? What is the current situation?

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency, while US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has emphasized the ongoing nature of rescue efforts, urging drivers in the Baltimore area to adhere to guidance from local responders regarding detours and response protocols.

Data from MarineTraffic, a ship-tracking and maritime analytics provider, indicates that more than 40 vessels, including small cargo ships, tugboats, and pleasure craft, are reported to be within Baltimore’s port.
Further, the Federal Aviation Administration has implemented restrictions prohibiting aircraft from flying over the bridge wreckage.

Emergency services, led by Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace, are employing various technologies, including sonar, drones, and infrared technology, in their search for individuals and vehicles that may have submerged into the Patapsco River.

Wallace noted the detection of submerged vehicles through sonar but refrained from providing a precise count during a news conference.
At present, the vessel involved in the collision remains anchored at the site, maintaining stability.

What comes next?

President Joe Biden, addressing the nation from the White House, has assured a significant federal response to the collapse, underlining that there is no indication suggesting a deliberate act.

In the port, traffic has been halted until further notice by Maryland transportation authorities.

The collapse is anticipated to precipitate a logistical quagmire for months, possibly years, along the East Coast, disrupting ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore and causing congestion in both cargo and commuter transit.

State Senator Johnny Ray Salling expressed concern over the widespread impact, stating, “Losing this bridge will devastate the entire area, as well as the entire East Coast.”

Highway signs extending as far as Virginia are advising drivers of anticipated delays associated with the bridge closure.