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A state of emergency has been declared after a 300-metre container ship crashed into – and collapsed – the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
“I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Maryland’s governor, Wes Moore, said in a statement posted to X.
As many as 20 people are feared to be missing in the Patapsco River in Baltimore after the crash.
Footage showed the moment the 1.6 mile long bridge fell into the water just before 1.30am local time this morning after the Singapore-flagged ‘Dali’ ship slammed into one of the bridge’s pillars.
Multiple cars are thought to have been crossing over the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer.
Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press that agencies starteed receiving 911 calls around 1.30am ET.
“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” he said.
According to the Marine Traffic website, the ship was bound for Colombo Port in Sri Lanka at the time.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge rests partially collapsed after a container ship ran into it in Baltimore
(EPA)
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Two people removed from water after bridge collapse
Two people were removed from the water after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, police said.
One person refused medical help, while the other person was taken to a trauma centre in a very serious condition.
Police said they may be looking for upwards of seven individuals.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 10:30
Misinformation about the Key Bridge collapse is already being spread on social media
Misinformation about the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse is already starting to spread on social media.
It occurred after a cargo ship crashed into a support pillar structure, causing the 1.6-mile-long bridge to give way. The Singapore-flagged ship was bound for Sri Lanka when the vessel hit the pillar. All of those onboard are said to be accounted for and uninjured.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 10:25
Watch Live: Aftermath of Baltimore bridge collapse as 20 people feared missing in Patapsco River
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 10:14
FBI on scene of bridge collapse
The FBI and officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), are now on the scene of the crash, CBS reported.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 10:11
Baltimore Police to hold press conference
A press conference will be held in ten minutes at 6:15am local time, police have said.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 10:05
Dali container ship travelled just four miles before crash
The Dali travelled just over four miles from the Seagirt Marine Terminal in the Port of Baltimore before it crashed into the west side of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to VesselFinder. It’s full journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka, was roughly 10,220 miles.
For reference, this means the Dail completed just 0.0004% of it’s journey.
It was scheduled to sail on shipping company Maersk’s route to Sri Lanka, the Danish company’s website showed.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 10:02
All crew members on ship accounted for
Synergy Marine Corp said in a statement to Reuters that all crew members on board the Dali ship had been accounted for including the two pilots. No injuries have been reported from the container ship. Meanwhile, a desperate search is currently under way for around 20 people who are feared to have plunged into the water when the bridge collapsed.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 09:57
Maryland governor declares state of emergency
Maryland’s governor, Wes Moore, said in a statement that he has declared a state of emergency.
“I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” he said in a statement posted to X.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 09:55
Who owns the Dali container ship?
Ship tracking data from LSEG shows a Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, at the location along the Key Bridge where the accident occurred. The registered owner of the ship is Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and the manager is Synergy Marine Group, LSEG data show.
Martha Mchardy26 March 2024 09:50