Following the sudden downfall of a bridge in Baltimore, a frantic search operation is underway in the river. Rescuers have successfully retrieved two individuals, one of whom is in critical condition. Teams are scouring the waters for an estimated 5-7 people. The bridge gave way early Tuesday after being struck by a Singapore-flagged cargo ship.
According to the Baltimore City Fire Department, around 1:30 AM, a vessel collided with a bridge, causing a devastating collapse. At the moment of impact, numerous vehicles were on the bridge, plummeting into the waters of the Patapsco River. Officials report two individuals have been rescued. Shipping data cited in local media indicates that the container ship 'Ever Given' was proximate to the bridge at the time of the mishap.
An expert has detailed four potential factors leading to the tragedy, which may include: (1) main engine failure, (2) steering gear collapse, (3) generator blackout, and (4) pilot error.
A resident shares:
'Our house started shaking; it was a catastrophic incident,' explained a local after the ship, outbound to Sri Lanka at 12:44 AM, deviated from its course by 1:30 AM, subsequently colliding with the bridge. The crash felled the bridge, affecting local communities profoundly.
Graceful exit, harrowing impact:
Reports indicate that the 'Ever Given,' managed by Global Shipping Co., struck a bridge pillar, says the operating company, reassuring that no casualties occurred among the all-Indian crew.
1977's Key Bridge, an icon at its inauguration
Named after 'Star-Spangled Banner' author Francis Scott Key following the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, the Key Bridge, a 1.6-mile span, opened in 1977. Known as the I-695 Key Bridge, it's an essential part of the Baltimore Beltway.
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The $110 million bridge, a maritime artery:
Constructed at an approximated cost of $110 million, this bridge sees daily navigation. In 2023, over 850,000 autos and light-duty trucks crossed it, marking it as the most trafficked U.S. port. The port also manages commodities such as agri-products, construction machinery, sugar, gypsum, and coal.
