Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Search Continues for Missing After Cargo Ship Collision
A big ship crashed into a Baltimore Bridge Collapses, causing it to fall down on Tuesday morning.
Six people are missing after a crash at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, says Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland’s transportation secretary. Two people were saved, but one was seriously hurt and taken to a trauma center. The missing people might have fallen into the water.
The bridge goes over the Patapsco River, not far from Baltimore. It’s part of Interstate 695.
The big ship crashed around 1:30 in the morning. At that time, workers were fixing the bridge. The people who are missing are thought to be the construction workers who were repairing holes in the bridge.
Wiedefeld said they’re actively searching and rescuing people right now. Vessel traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore is stopped until they give the all-clear.
“This is a big event, covering a wide area,” said Chief James W. Wallace of the Baltimore City Fire Department during a news conference.
The National Transportation Safety Board sent a group to look into the collapse, as told to CNBC by a spokesperson.
The fire chief said that sonar scans found cars underwater, but couldn’t tell how many there were.
Wallace said the latest news about the ship’s crew is that they’re still on the ship. Before they can board, rescue agents need to check how much damage the ship has. When asked if the ship has any technical problems, he said they don’t know yet.
Maryland officials and the FBI stated that there’s no evidence indicating the collapse was caused by terrorism.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said it seems like an accident, not a terrorist attack, based on the initial investigation.
The bridge was finished in 1977 and was named after Francis Scott Key. He wrote the poem that inspired the U.S. national anthem.
Around 35,000 people cross the bridge every day, says Wiedefeld. People who drive in that area will need to use the much busier Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels instead of crossing the harbor for a while.
Moore mentioned that right now, the main focus is on finding and rescuing people. However, he also said that fixing the bridge would take a long time.
“We’ll ensure that we don’t just rebuild, but we’ll rebuild in a way that honors those affected by this tragedy,” Moore stated.
Also Read: Carlos Sainz Steals Australian GP Win
Maersk Confirms Chartering Vessel Involved in Baltimore Bridge Collapses Incident
The big ship that crashed into the bridge was found out by the U.S. Coast Guard. It’s a really long ship, about 948 feet, and it’s flying the flag of Singapore. It’s a container ship, and Maersk is the company that’s renting it.
According to Maersk, there were no crew or staff members on the ship. Shipping records show that Synergy Marine Group manages the vessel. They stated that all 22 crew members, including two pilots, are safe and sound.
“We don’t know exactly what caused the problem yet, but the ship has activated its emergency response service. We’ve told the US Coast Guard and local authorities, and we’re working closely with them. The ship’s owners and managers are following an approved plan and cooperating fully with government agencies.”
The ship’s route indicates it was heading to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
State of Emergency: Baltimore Mobilizes Resources After Bridge Disaster
Emergency workers stayed at the site of the bridge falling down, as per Maryland’s governor’s office.
“I’ve announced a State of Emergency in Maryland. We’re teaming up with different agencies to bring in help from the Biden Administration fast.”
“We’ll stay in touch with the government at all levels as they rescue people. We’re also working to figure out how we can help.”
This article has been changed to say that the Francis Scott Key Bridge goes over the Patapsco River and is part of Interstate 695.
Follow my Twitter Account:Â Weekly Wakeup
