Cargo Ship Collision Causes Baltimore Bridge Collapse, Entire Crew Safe

A cargo ship collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday resulted in the bridge collapsing into the Patapsco River below. The ship, named ‘Dali’ and registered under Grace Ocean Pte Ltd, was en route to Sri Lanka when it struck a pylon of the bridge at around 1:27 a.m. ET. The vessel, flying the Singapore flag, was heavily laden with containers, though no pollution was reported.

The entire 22-member crew of the container ship, including the two pilots, are Indians, according to the ship management company Synergy Marine Group. Fortunately, all crew members have been safely accounted for, with no injuries reported.

However, the collision caused casualties among a construction crew working on the bridge, with eight individuals falling into the river. Two were rescued, one unharmed and another critically injured, leaving six individuals still missing. Eyewitnesses captured the shocking moment on video as the bridge crumpled into the icy waters below, with several vehicles plunging into the river.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott declared a state of emergency in response to the bridge collapse, describing it as “an unthinkable tragedy.” The incident has prompted concerns about the impact on transportation and commerce in the area and along the entire East Coast.

The aftermath of the collision underscores the significance of safety measures in maritime navigation and the potential consequences of such accidents on critical infrastructure and local communities.