Ship Collision Causes Collapse Baltimore Key Bridge
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The US Coast Guard (USCG) is actively responding to the emergency at the Francis Scott Key Bridge after receiving a report that a container ship struck it at 1:27 a.m. ET “and subsequently collapsed,” as stated by Kimberly Reaves, a public affairs officer of the Coast Guard’s 5th District.
Reaves reports vehicles in the water and states that the Coast Guard has deployed “multiple” response units for a search and rescue mission.
The statement reads, “Coast Guard units on scene include small boats from Station Annapolis and Station Curtis Bay and a helicopter from Air Station spilf Atlantic City.”
Reaves mentioned that multiple state and local agencies are assisting, and it remains unclear if there are any casualties.
The US Secretary of Transportation contacted the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor following the bridge collapse
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg addressed Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, as reported in a post on X.
Buttigieg stated, “Rescue efforts are still ongoing, and drivers in the Baltimore area should heed local responder instructions regarding detours and response.”
The US Coast Guard reports that the container ship, the DALI, collided with a bridge in Baltimore

This picture released on March 26 shows the Singapore-flagged container ship DALI after it collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. It was captured by Harford County MD Fire & EMS/Reuters.
According to public affairs officer Kimberly Reaves of the US Coast Guard’s 5th District, the container ship DALI, which measures 948 feet, struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge at 1:27 a.m. ET and caused its subsequent collapse, Reaves stated in a statement.
Reaves stated in a statement that the vessel, which is 948 feet long, hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge at 1:27 a.m. ET, causing it to collapse.
MarineTraffic, a maritime tracking website, displayed that the Singapore-flagged ship made a stop in Baltimore before departing for Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship halted around 1:30 a.m. ET and was surrounded by first response boats.
ship collision causes collapse Baltimore Key Bridge
At approximately 1:30 a.m., local agencies received 911 calls reporting that a large ship outbound from Baltimore had collided with a column on the bridge, according to Kevin Cartwright, spokesperson for the Baltimore Fire Department.
According to MarineTraffic data, the ship measures around 300 meters (984 feet) in length and approximately 48 meters (157 feet) in width.
CNN is making efforts to reach out to the owner and managers of the ship.
Comments from the Coast Guard have been added to update this post.
The Baltimore Fire Department says they will investigate the condition of the collapsed bridge
Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department, informed CNN that officials will start evaluating the condition of the Francis Scott Key Bridge following its collapse early Tuesday.
Cartwright stated, “This bridge has been in place for quite some time and has served many commuters in the Baltimore metropolitan area. As the investigation progresses, structural engineers will be involved to assess the bridge’s condition.”
According to Cartwright, conditions are currently deemed “unsafe,” but investigators will also examine the bridge’s condition before the collapse.
He expressed, “This incident is devastating for those involved, and our hearts go out to each and every one of them. We will be working diligently throughout the early morning to address this situation.”
Freezing temperatures are a cause for concern as search efforts expand following the collapse of the Baltimore bridge
Freezing conditions and limited visibility at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore could cause concern as rescue crews search for at least 20 people believed to have fallen into the water.
Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department, informed CNN that they are collaborating with the US Coast Guard, and a team of divers is actively conducting search and rescue operations in the river. Temperatures around the port are approximately 30°F (-1°C).
“We are aggressively working, considering the environmental temperatures as well as the water temperatures, to try and rescue and possibly recover individuals,” Cartwright stated. “The incident occurred at 01:30 a.m. with limited visibility. It currently feels like at least about 30 degrees (-1°C) where I am, possibly even colder. This, combined with the frigid water temperatures, poses a concern and risk for our divers.”
Cartwright emphasized that the teams are working methodically and safely to ensure the safety of everyone involved at the scene and to make progress without causing harm to anyone else.
“Baltimore City Fire Department informs CNN that they are actively searching for up to 20 people in the river”

Emergency personnel are operating at the scene of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., as shown in this picture released on March 26 by Harford County MD Fire & EMS/Reuters.
Baltimore faces a “mass casualty multi-agency incident,” with response teams actively rescuing approximately 20 people who might have fallen into the river during the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department, stated, “We are currently managing a mass casualty multi-agency incident here.” He informed CNN, “Regrettably, we know that up to 20 individuals, along with multiple vehicles, may be in the Patapsco River.”
Cartwright mentioned that they collaborate with the US Coast Guard, and a team of divers is conducting search and rescue operations in the river, with temperatures around the port hovering at approximately 30 °F (-1°C).
Cartwright indicated that there might have been a vehicle “as large as a tractor-trailer” on the bridge during the collapse.
CNN correspondent says that “A crash of very significant
magnitude” raises many questions
CNN correspondent Gabe Cohen stated that a “very significant crash” occurred when a large ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The incident will prompt numerous inquiries.
“This bridge holds immense importance. Situated along 695, the footage emerging is surreal — witnessing the collision between the container ship and the bridge, resulting in its rapid collapse into several pieces plunging into the water,” remarked Cohen, who is en route to the scene in Baltimore.

Rescue crews are actively searching for at least seven people in the Patapsco River after multiple vehicles plunged into the water when the bridge collapsed, as confirmed earlier by a spokesperson from the Baltimore City Fire Department to the Associated Press.According to Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, the bridge collapse is evolving into a “mass casualty event,” as reported to the AP.CNN’s Cohen mentioned that the interstate sees heavy use from both commuters and cargo shipping, emphasizing its significance not only in the Baltimore area but also for travelers between Washington and New York. Cohen added, “It’s a heavily traveled route across the mid-Atlantic northeast region for those navigating between cities, and I’ve personally crossed that bridge numerous times.”
Reportedly, rescue crews are searching for 7 people after a bridge collapse in Baltimore

This picture released on March 26 shows the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., as seen from a view. It was taken by Harford County MD Fire & EMS/Reuters.
Rescue crews, according to a spokesperson from the Baltimore City Fire Department who spoke to the Associated Press, are actively searching for at least seven people in the Patapsco River. This follows the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge overnight, during which multiple vehicles plunged into the water.
Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, informed AP that local agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. ET, reporting that a ship, outbound from Baltimore, had struck a column on the bridge.
“This is a dire emergency,” Cartwright emphasized, stating, “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”
Referring to the collapse as a “developing mass casualty event,” the official expressed concern about the conditions, noting that there are “some cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge,” which makes it unsafe and unstable for emergency responders operating at the scene.
For additional information, CNN has contacted the Baltimore City Fire Department, Maryland Department of Transportation, and US Coast Guard.
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