Major bridge in Baltimore collapses after being struck by ship
A view of the Singapore-flagged container ship 'Dali' after it collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., in this picture released on March 26, 2024. Harford County MD Fire & EMS/Handout via REUTERS
Harford County Md Fire & EMS | Via Reuters
Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge partially collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday morning following a ship collision, local authorities said.
The bridge carries Route 695 across the Patapsco River, southeast of the Baltimore metropolitan area.
The incident took place at 1:35 a.m. local time on Tuesday, and workers may have fallen into the water, according to a Baltimore City police spokesperson.
A large container ship hit the bridge overnight, and there appeared to be personnel on the crossing at the time of the incident, Baltimore Fire Department Battalion Chief Glenn Kukucka told CNBC by phone. He added that the vessel involved in the collision appeared to have sustained damage.
"The Coast Guard received a report at 1:27a ET that a motor vessel made impact with the bridge," U.S. Coast Guard Spokesperson Matthew West told NBC News. "USCG confirms the ship is the 948-ft DALI vessel. USCG has deployed three response boats, and pollution responders are en route from the Sector Maryland-National Capital Region."
Shipping data indicates that the Singapore-flagged container vessel is under the management of Synergy Marine Group, which did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment. Marine traffic data suggests the ship was bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Maersk confirmed chartering the vessel.
"We can confirm that the container vessel "DALI", operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group, is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers' cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel," the company said.
"We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed."
The office of Maryland Governor Wes Moore said emergency personnel remained on the scene following the bridge's collapse.
"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," the governor said.
"We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy."
"I'm aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge. I have been in contact with @BaltimoreFire Chief Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway," said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott on social media.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that the Francis Scott Key Bridge crosses the Patapsco River.
