Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2024 10:31:56 GMT -4
Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship hits it; construction crew missing:
BALTIMORE −Authorities on Tuesday were searching for six construction workers who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore when it was struck by a large cargo ship and collapsed into the Patapsco River.
James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, said at a news conference that around 1:30 a.m. a vessel leaving the Port of Baltimore struck the Key Bridge, causing it to collapse in seconds. Footage shows the cargo ship smash into one of the columns before the bridge snapped and tumbled into the water and on top of the ship, where a burst of flames and smoke could be seen rising into the night sky.
Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of impact and were plunged into the Patapsco River. There were also multiple contractors on the bridge who were repairing potholes, said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. It's unclear how many workers were on the bridge when it collapsed.
Wallace said two people were rescued in the initial hours of the search. One was unharmed and the other remains in "very serious condition," he said. The crew that was on the ship when it collided with the bridge remains on the vessel, which needs to be assessed for damage before rescuers can board it, Wallace said.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a news conference that preliminary investigations indicate this was “an accident” and not an intentional act of terror. He did not provide further details.
A senior U.S. official told USA TODAY that the ship apparently lost power a few minutes before striking the bridge.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a news conference that preliminary investigations indicate this was “an accident” and not an intentional act of terror. He did not provide further details.
BALTIMORE −Authorities on Tuesday were searching for six construction workers who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore when it was struck by a large cargo ship and collapsed into the Patapsco River.
James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, said at a news conference that around 1:30 a.m. a vessel leaving the Port of Baltimore struck the Key Bridge, causing it to collapse in seconds. Footage shows the cargo ship smash into one of the columns before the bridge snapped and tumbled into the water and on top of the ship, where a burst of flames and smoke could be seen rising into the night sky.
Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of impact and were plunged into the Patapsco River. There were also multiple contractors on the bridge who were repairing potholes, said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. It's unclear how many workers were on the bridge when it collapsed.
Wallace said two people were rescued in the initial hours of the search. One was unharmed and the other remains in "very serious condition," he said. The crew that was on the ship when it collided with the bridge remains on the vessel, which needs to be assessed for damage before rescuers can board it, Wallace said.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a news conference that preliminary investigations indicate this was “an accident” and not an intentional act of terror. He did not provide further details.
A senior U.S. official told USA TODAY that the ship apparently lost power a few minutes before striking the bridge.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a news conference that preliminary investigations indicate this was “an accident” and not an intentional act of terror. He did not provide further details.
