The Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore collapses after a ship crashed into it

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, part of I-695, collapsed into the Patapsco River early Tuesday after being struck by the Dali, a nearly 1,000-foot-long container ship. The catastrophic event led to a frantic search-and-rescue operation as eight members of a construction crew, working on bridge repairs at the time, were believed to have fallen into the river; two were rescued, but six remained missing. Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld and Governor Wes Moore confirmed there were no drivers submerged in their vehicles, and authorities quickly acted to halt further traffic over the bridge following the collapse. The Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel headed for Sri Lanka, experienced a power outage shortly before the incident. All 22 crew members aboard the ship were reported safe, and no pollution was detected in the water. Preliminary investigations suggest the crash was accidental, with no indications of a terrorist attack. The bridge, a critical connector along the U.S. Eastern seaboard and named after the national anthem’s author, has stood since 1977, approximately 45 miles from Washington, D.C. Authorities emphasize the bridge was up to code with no known structural issues prior to the collapse.

Source: NPR