New design renderings revealed Thursday show what the rebuilt Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, will look like once completed.
A recent rendering of the redesigned Key Bridge.
(Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority)
Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority
A rendering of what the redesigned Key Bridge will look like once its completed in 2028.
(Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority)
Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority
The redesigned cable-stayed crossing will feature two 12-foot lanes in each direction and stretch more than two miles across the Patapsco River, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
(Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority)
Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority
The new bridge will have a higher clearance and taller structural framework than the original.
(Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority)
Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority
The redesign will rise 230 feet above the water, with twin towers reaching more than 600 feet high, according to MTA.
(Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority)
Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority
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What Baltimore’s new Key Bridge could look like
New design renderings revealed Thursday show what the rebuilt Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, will look like once completed in the fall of 2028.
The yearslong project will replace the Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by a container ship in March 2024, killing six construction workers.
The redesigned cable-stayed crossing will feature two 12-foot lanes in each direction and stretch more than two miles across the Patapsco River, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
The new bridge will have a higher clearance and taller structural framework than the original.
The redesign will rise 230 feet above the water, with twin towers reaching more than 600 feet high, according to MTA. The original bridge had an 185-foot clearance and the main truss, which provides structural support, was 358 feet tall.
The project is expected to cost $2 billion and the new bridge is expected to expected to last a century.
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board will hold a hearing Nov. 18 in D.C. to discuss its marine investigation report tied to the collapse of the original bridge.
WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.
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A joint initiative plans to expand oyster restoration efforts in Baltimore Harbor and the Patapsco River, with the goal of planting 5 million oysters by 2030.
BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — The Baltimore Oyster Partnership, a joint initiative between the Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor Initiative and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, announced plans to expand oyster restoration efforts in Baltimore Harbor and the Patapsco River on Tuesday.
The partnership has a new goal of planting 5 million oysters in the Baltimore Harbor by 2030.
The announcement builds on Maryland’s growing oyster restoration success, as the state’s oyster population has more than tripled in the past two decades.
“Oysters are a vital species in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, they are critical water filters provide habitat for other marine life. They are shoreline protection, and oysters are central to the base fishing industry and local heritage,” Carmera Thomas-Wilhite, Vice President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said.
Restoration shows progress
Maryland’s oyster population has more than tripled in the past two decades, reaching over 12 billion oysters in the Chesapeake Bay, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
In June 2024, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said it was on track to meet its 2025 deadline of restoring healthy oyster reefs in 10 Chesapeake Bay tributaries.
Economic and environmental benefits
Oysters provide significant environmental benefits, filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day and removing algae, sediment and pollutants from the water, according to CBF.
The shellfish also create habitat for marine life, with hundreds of animals relying on oyster reefs for shelter and food, including striped bass, weakfish and blue crabs — a popular commodity in Maryland. In turn, oysters benefit the commercial and recreational fishing industries.
Maryland’s seafood industry contributes about $600 million annually to the state’s economy. In 2022, oyster sales brought in more than $56.8 million in revenue for Maryland and Virginia, according to CBF. Oyster farming contributes about $9 million to the state’s economy each year.
The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that water clarity improvements to the bay could drive up property values in Maryland.
WTOP’s Jose Umana explains how adding oysters to the harbor will clean up Maryland waterways
An explosion happened on a cargo ship in the Baltimore Harbor on Monday evening, not far from the remaining wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed last year.
A cargo ship in the Baltimore Harbor caught on fire on Monday evening, causing a huge explosion, not far from the remaining wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed last year.
Around 6:30 p.m., the bow of the W-Sapphire cargo ship combusted in a fireball. Livestream video footage shows black smoke pluming from the ship as it slowly continues its path on the Patapsco River.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to WTOP that there were 23 people and two pilots on board the coal-bearing ship.
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management said in a post on social media that it is aware of the incident and that no injuries or property damage have been reported.
Baltimore City Fire Department said in a post on Facebook that fireboats located the W-Sapphire, a 751-foot bulk carrier from Liberia, which showed signs of damage from the explosion.
“Fireboats remain on scene as the Coast Guard and other agencies begin their investigation. The vessel will be moved to a designated anchorage area and held there until cleared by the Coast Guard,” they wrote.
The fire department said the ship remains afloat. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The ship exploded not far from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in the early morning hours on March 26, 2024.
A huge container ship lost power and careened into the bridge, causing most of it to collapse into the river below.
Six construction workers were killed in the collapse. The destruction and extensive recovery efforts raised concerns about the implications to international shipping and commerce — the Port of Baltimore is the ninth-busiest port in the nation.
Crews will initially remove parts of the collapsed bridge that stand in the way of the alignment of the Key Bridge rebuild, which is expected to be completed in 2028.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest.
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Weeks after the Port of Baltimore’s shipping channel was fully reopened, in the wake of the March 26 collapse of the Key Bridge, leadership has changed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District.
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Weeks after reopening Key Bridge channel, new leadership comes for US Army Corps of Engineers
Weeks after the Port of Baltimore’s shipping channel was fully reopened, in the wake of the March 26 collapse of the Key Bridge, leadership has changed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
On Thursday, in a ceremony at the Washington Aqueduct in Northwest D.C., command of the Baltimore District of the Army Corps was transferred from Col. Estee Pinchasin, commander and district engineer for the past three years, to Col. Frank Pera.
One of Pinchasin’s last major missions began March 26, when the container ship Dali lost power and slammed into the Key Bridge, causing much of it to collapse into the Patapsco River and killing six road crew workers.
Other speakers Thursday praised Pinchasin for her leadership in the effort to clear hunks of concrete and steel, and fully reopen the federal channel to its 700-foot width and 50-foot depth within 11 weeks.
Pinchasin said the Army Corps was prepared for the challenge.
“ThatBaltimorechannelisourchannelthatwe’vebeenmaintainingforover100years,” Pinchasin told WTOP. “To work and solve this massive problem, while still addressing the human tragedy of that, that became the inspiration for the whole team, just working and pulling together.”
She said the Army Corps and other partner agencies “over communicated” in order to restore the channel so quickly.
After the ceremony, which was held on the lawn in front of the Washington Aqueduct, which went online in 1859 and is owned and operated by the USACE, Pinchasin said the change of command ceremony dates back to the 18th century.
“This is the traditional change of command, where commanders rotate every three years in the Baltimore District,” Pinchasin said. “My replacement, Col. Frank Pera, is an amazing leader.”
When asked if the USACE’s Key Bridge efforts will change with new leadership, Pinchasin said that would not be the case.
“It’s part of our secret sauce — you have a fresh perspective, fresh eyes … being able to take the team to new heights, improve in areas and take us forward,” she said.
In his remarks, Pera thanked Pinchasin as “a world class leader,” as she begins a new assignment at Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County.
Pera called the Baltimore District “hands down the best district in the Corps of Engineers,” likening it to an iceberg: “When you look below the surface, you’ll find that the history of the Baltimore District highlights an expansive commitment to service that’s almost as old as our nation.”
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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said divers at the site of the Baltimore bridge collapse can’t see more than a foot or two in front of them because the water in the Patapsco River is so murky. The governor also said a temporary southwest channel is expected to open in the coming days.
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BALTIMORE — A cargo ship lost power and rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, destroying the span in a matter of seconds and plunging it into the river in a terrifying collapse that could disrupt a vital shipping port for months. Six people were missing and presumed dead, and the search for them was suspended until the next day.
The ship’s crew issued a mayday call moments before the crash took down the Francis Scott Key Bridge, enabling authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the span, Maryland’s governor said.
The ship struck one of the bridge’s supports, causing the structure to collapse like a toy. A section of the span came to rest on the bow of the vessel, which caught fire.
Video shows Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse after ship strike
With the ship barreling toward the bridge at “a very, very rapid speed,” authorities had just enough time to stop cars from coming over the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.
“These people are heroes,” Moore said. “They saved lives last night.”
In the evening, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent for Maryland State Police, announced that the search and rescue mission was transitioning to one of search and recovery. He also said the search was being put on pause and divers would return to the site at 6 a.m. Wednesday, when challenging overnight conditions are expected to improve.
Authorities announce 6 presumed dead after Baltimore bridge collapse; U.S. Coast Guard suspends active search
The six people still unaccounted for were part of a construction crew filling potholes on the bridge, said Paul Wiedefeld, the state’s transportation secretary.
Rescuers pulled two people out of the water. One person was treated at a hospital and discharged hours later.
Five submerged vehicles have also been found in the water, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN.
Authorities have been able to find three passenger vehicles, a cement truck and a fifth vehicle submerged in the water using infrared and side-scan sonar technology, according to Wallace.
A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md.
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
“It looked like something out of an action movie,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said, calling it “an unthinkable tragedy.”
Given the vessel’s massive weight, it struck the bridge support with significant force, said Roberto Leon, a Virginia Tech engineering professor.
“The only way the post can resist it is by bending,” Leon said. “But it cannot absorb anywhere near the energy that this humongous ship is bringing. So it’s going to break.”
Last June, federal inspectors rated the 47-year-old bridge in fair condition. But the structure did not appear to have pier protection to withstand the crash, experts said.
Five submerged vehicles have also been found in the water.
“If a bridge pier without adequate protection is hit by a ship of this size, there is very little that the bridge could do,” Leon said.
A police dispatcher put out a call just before the collapse saying a ship had lost its steering and asked officers to stop all traffic on the bridge, according to Maryland Transportation Authority first responder radio traffic obtained from the Broadcastify.com archive.
One officer who stopped traffic radioed that he was going to drive onto the bridge to alert the construction crew. But seconds later, a frantic officer said: “The whole bridge just fell down. Start, start whoever, everybody … the whole bridge just collapsed.”
On a separate radio channel for maintenance and construction workers, someone said officers were stopping traffic because a ship had lost steering. There was no follow-up order to evacuate, and 30 seconds later the bridge fell and the channel went silent.
Impacts from the collapse
From 1960 to 2015, there were 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collision, according to the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure.
The collapse is sure to create a logistical nightmare for months, if not years, along the East Coast, shutting down ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore, a major shipping hub. The accident will also snarl cargo and commuter traffic.
Helicopter video shows the aftermath of a Baltimore bridge collapse after being hit by a ship.
“Losing this bridge will devastate the entire area, as well as the entire East Coast,” Maryland state Sen. Johnny Ray Salling said.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, speaking at a news conference near the site, said it was too soon to estimate how long it will take to clear the channel, which is about 50 feet (15 meters) deep.
“I do not know of a bridge that has been constructed to withstand a direct impact from a vessel of this size,” he said.
Carnival Cruise Line said Tuesday that it is temporarily moving its Baltimore operations to Norfolk, Virginia following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Carnival Legend is scheduled to return from its current voyage on Sunday, March 31. Officials said guests will return to Norfolk on Sunday and be bussed back to Baltimore.
The next seven-day Carnival Legend trip scheduled for March 31 will operate out of Norfolk.
The 948-foot container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 1:30 a.m., officials say
Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas is set to return to Baltimore on April 4, however no official changes have been made.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted. We are closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings,” said a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean.
‘It felt like an earthquake’
According to a Coast Guard memo obtained by ABC News, a harbor pilot and an assistant aboard the cargo ship reported the power issues that prompted multiple alarms on the bridge of the vessel and loss of propulsion.
Synergy Marine Group – which manages the ship, called the Dali – confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. while in control of one or more pilots, who are local specialists who help guide vessels safely into and out of ports. The ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd.
Synergy said all crew members and the two pilots on board were accounted for, and there were no reports of any injuries.
The ship was moving at 8 knots, roughly 9 mph (14.8 kph), the governor said.
PHOTOS: Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapses after cargo ship rams into support column
A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md.
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Jagged remnants of the bridge could be seen jutting up from the water’s surface. The on-ramp ended abruptly where the span once began.
Donald Heinbuch, a retired chief with Baltimore’s fire department, said he was startled awake by a deep rumbling that shook his house for several seconds. “It felt like an earthquake,” he said.
He drove to the river’s edge and couldn’t believe what he saw.
Baltimore Governor Wes Moore discusses latest updates after 6 presumed dead in bridge collapse
“The ship was there, and the bridge was in the water, like it was blown up,” he said.
The bridge spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor, which leads to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore — the 9th largest port in the U.S. — is suspended until further notice, however, officials said the port is still open for truck transactions.
The Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and flying under a Singapore flag, according to data from Marine Traffic. The container ship is about 985 feet (300 meters) long and about 157 feet (48 meters) wide, according to the website.
Inspectors found a problem with the Dali’s machinery in June, but a more recent examination did not identify any deficiencies, according to the shipping information system Equasis.
The most recent inspection listed for the Dali was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard in New York in September. The “standard examination” didn’t identify any deficiencies, according to the Equasis data.
Danish shipping giant Maersk said it had chartered the vessel.
The bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, opened in 1977 and crosses the Patapsco River in Baltimore’s harbor. It is a vital artery, that along with the Port of Baltimore, is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the overview of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Md., on May 6, 2023.
(Maxaar Technologies via AP)
Last year, the Port of Baltimore handled a record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo worth $80 billion, according to the state.
The head of a supply chain management company said Americans should expect shortages of goods from the effect of the collapse on ocean container shipping and East Coast trucking.
“It’s not just the port of Baltimore that’s going to be impacted,” said Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport.
The collapse, though, is not likely to hurt worldwide trade because Baltimore is not a major port for container vessels, but its facilities are more important when it comes to goods such as farm equipment and autos, said Judah Levine, head of research for global freight booking platform Freightos.
Detours and logistics
Drivers are being told to avoid the I-695 southeast corridor and use I-95 and I-895 as alternatives.
“I-695 is being detoured southbound at exit 43 (Peninsula Expressway) and northbound at Exit 2 (Route 10),” Wiedefeld said.
ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
BALTIMORE, Md. — A container ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday after losing propulsion, causing a “catastrophic collapse,” sending vehicles and people into the water, officials in Maryland said.
A ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse, sending vehicles and people into the water, officials said.
“At this time, it is an active search and rescue mission,” said Maryland Secretary of Transportation Paul Wiedefeld. “We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse, working on the bridge.”
At a press conference early Tuesday morning officials said two people were rescued, with one of those people said to be in very serious condition. The other person did not need medical treatment.
The Maryland Transportation Authority said the collapse occurred due to ship strike.
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting search and rescue for those who remain unaccounted for as a result of the bridge collapse.
What to know about the collapse
“I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” the Baltimore Police Department said in a statement. Officials have since said the bridge has “fully collapsed.”
The Maryland Transportation Authority said the collapse occurred “due to ship strike.”
A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.
The vessel appears to have hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to break apart in several places and plunge into the water, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Multiple vehicles plunged from the bridge at the time of the collapse, the Baltimore City Fire Department said. Divers were searching for at least seven people in the water, the department said.
Response boat crews from Coast Guard Stations Curtis Bay and Annapolis have crews deployed to the incident for active search and rescue, according to USCG. A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and Coast Guard investigators and pollution responders are also en route to the incident.
Helicopter video shows the aftermath of a Baltimore bridge collapse after being hit by a ship.
“An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast is issued regarding the incident and there has been a 2000-yard safety zone issued for the surrounding waters. Mariners are urged to avoid the area,” USCG said.
“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”
Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Cartwright said, though he said it’s too early to know how many people were affected. He called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”
He added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge.
The 948-foot container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 1:30 a.m., officials say
He said agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. reporting that a ship leaving Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck.
The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Ship lost propulsion, warned of collision, CISA report says
An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said the container ship Dali “lost propulsion” as it was leaving port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision.
The crew notified officials that they had lost control, the report said.
“The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and an collision with the bridge was possible,” the report said. “The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.”
The waterway into and out of the port has been closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the mid-Atlantic.
The 948-foot container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, struck the bridge at about 1:30 a.m., according to a ship-tracking company.
A ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, causing a partial collapse and sending vehicles and people into the water, officials said.
“All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries,” Synergy Marine Group said in a statement.
The company said the 22 crew members, including the pilots, were based in India.
The cause of the crash is “yet to be determined,” the statement said.
‘No indications this was an intentional act,’ Mayorkas says
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said “there are no indications this was an intentional act,” adding, “we are assessing the impacts to the Port of Baltimore.”
“Our thoughts are with the families of the missing and injured,” he said.
Detours and logistics
Drivers are being told to avoid the I-695 southeast corridor and use I-95 and I-895 as alternatives.
“I-695 is being detoured southbound at exit 43 (Peninsula Expressway) and northbound at Exit 2 (Route 10),” Wiedefeld said.
MDOT, USCG give update on Baltimore bridge collapse
Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice, however, officials said the port is still open for truck transactions.
The bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, opened in 1977 and crosses the Patapsco River in Baltimore’s harbor. It is a vital artery, that along with the Port of Baltimore, is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.
It is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Last year, more than 12 million cars traversed over the bridge, according to ABC News.
From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.
Governor declares state of emergency
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse.
“We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore said in a statement.
White House ‘closely monitoring’ bridge collapse
The White House said early Tuesday it was “closely monitoring” the situation in Baltimore, where a cargo ship struck a major bridge.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those who remain missing as a result of this horrific incident,” a White House official said.
There was no indication of “any nefarious intent,” an official said.
President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the collapse and the ongoing search and rescue efforts, according to a White House official. He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day, the official said.
Senior White House officials have been in touch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor to offer any federal assistance they need, the administration said.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also said he has spoken to Maryland’s governor and Baltimore’s mayor, offering USDOT support.
FBI Baltimore personnel are also at the scene to assist.
“We are aware of the incident in Baltimore. The priority is ensuring the safety of those affected as a search and rescue operation is underway. We expect an investigation report will be submitted to IMO in due course,” the International Maritime Organization said in a statement.
In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
BALTIMORE, Md. — A container ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, causing it to collapse, sending vehicles and people into the water, officials in Maryland said.
What to know about the collapse
“I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” the Baltimore Police Department said in a statement. Officials have since said the bridge has “fully collapsed.”
The Maryland Transportation Authority said the collapse occurred “due to ship strike.”
A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.
The 948-foot container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, struck the bridge at about 1:30 a.m., according to a ship-tracking company.
The vessel appears to have hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to break apart in several places and plunge into the water, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ship caught fire and appeared to sink.
Multiple vehicles plunged from the bridge at the time of the collapse, the Baltimore City Fire Department said. Divers were searching for at least seven people in the water, the department said.
Response boat crews from Coast Guard Stations Curtis Bay and Annapolis have crews deployed to the incident for active search and rescue, according to USCG. A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and Coast Guard investigators and pollution responders are also en route to the incident.
“An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast is issued regarding the incident and there has been a 2000-yard safety zone issued for the surrounding waters. Mariners are urged to avoid the area,” USCG said.
The bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, opened in 1977 and crosses the Patapsco River in Baltimore’s harbor. It is a vital artery, that along with the Port of Baltimore, is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.
A ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, causing a partial collapse and sending vehicles and people into the water, officials said.
It is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”
Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Cartwright said, though he said it’s too early to know how many people were affected. He called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”
He added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge.
Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Cartwright said, though he said it’s too early to know how many people were affected. He called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”
Aerial view of Baltimore bridge collapse
He said agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. reporting that a ship leaving Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck.
The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge,” MDTA officials said in a statement at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday. “Traffic is being detoured.”
Governor declares state of emergency
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse.
“We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore said in a statement.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said he has spoken to Maryland’s governor and Baltimore’s mayor, offering USDOT support.
FBI Baltimore personnel are also at the scene to assist.
“We are aware of the incident in Baltimore. The priority is ensuring the safety of those affected as a search and rescue operation is underway. We expect an investigation report will be submitted to IMO in due course,” the International Maritime Organization said in a statement.
In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
BALTIMORE, Md. — A container ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, causing it to collapse, sending vehicles and people into the water, officials in Maryland said.
What to know about the collapse
“I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” the Baltimore Police Department said in a statement. Officials have since said the bridge has “fully collapsed.”
The Maryland Transportation Authority said the collapse occurred “due to ship strike.”
A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.
The container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, struck the bridge at about 1:30 a.m., according to a ship-tracking company.
The vessel appears to have hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to break apart in several places and plunge into the water, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ship caught fire and appeared to sink.
Multiple vehicles plunged from the bridge at the time of the collapse, the Baltimore City Fire Department said. Divers were searching for least seven people in the water, the department said.
The bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, opened in 1977 and crosses the Patapsco River in Baltimore’s harbor. It is a vital artery, that along with the Port of Baltimore, is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.
A ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, causing a partial collapse and sending vehicles and people into the water, officials said.
It is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”
Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Cartwright said, though he said it’s too early to know how many people were affected. He called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”
He added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge.
Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Cartwright said, though he said it’s too early to know how many people were affected. He called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”
He said agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. reporting that a ship leaving Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck.
The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge,” MDTA officials said in a statement at about 2 a.m. on Tuesday. “Traffic is being detoured.”
Governor declares state of emergency
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse.
“We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore said in a statement.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said he has spoken to Maryland’s governor and Baltimore’s mayor, offering USDOT support.
FBI Baltimore personnel are also at the scene to assist.
In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
