What was described as a “mass casualty event” unfolded early Tuesday morning after a ship collision caused the spectacular collapse of a major bridge in Baltimore.
According to WBAL-TV, the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River collapsed about 1:30 a.m., sending at least seven vehicles plummeting into the water.
“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” Mayor Brandon Scott told reporters at a 6 a.m. news conference, according to the New York Post, as video of the collapse shocked viewers around social media.
“Never would you think that you could see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of an action movie,” Scott said.
#BREAKING: video showing cargo ship colliding with Frances Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this morning.
Officials confirm rescue efforts are underway.All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge.@wjz
— Amy Kawata TV (@AmyKawata) March 26, 2024
CBS News reported that the bridge was struck by an outgoing container vessel. At least one of the vehicles that went into the water was a tractor-trailer.
The Baltimore bridge collapse is a “mass casualty event” and a “multi-agency rescue and recovery [is] now underway,” @NicoleSganga reports.
The Baltimore Fire Dept. Chief said an estimated 20 people plunged into the water. pic.twitter.com/0LfsolbRl4
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 26, 2024
According to WBAL, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said two people had been rescued from the water. One was in serious condition, the other declined treatment.
At least seven people were considered unaccounted for, Wallace said.
“We’ll be guided by our guide teams,” he said at the news conference, according to WBAL. “This water is current-influenced, so right now, we think the current is coming in, so we have to take a lot of factors in play.”
Kevin Cartwright, communications chief for the Baltimore City Fire Department, called the incident a “developing mass casualty event,” the Post reported.
“This is a dire emergency,” he said, according to WBAL.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency, the station reported.
There was no indication the incident was intentional, Police Commissioner Richard Worley said, according to WBAL.
According to the Post, the ship that struck the bridge was a Singapore-flagged vessel headed to Sri Lanka.
Another pic of this catastrophic tragedy. This is another shot of the cargo ship that has slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Pic sent to me from a first responder. Truly heartbreaking. Hope to have more views as the sun comes up.
Send prayers 🙏🏾🇺🇸#francisscottkeybridge pic.twitter.com/5Xhw0d74dY
— Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) March 26, 2024
The 1.6-mile bridge, part of Interstate 695, was started in 1972 and completed in 1977, according to The New York Times.
