BALTIMORE (Maryland, US), March 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, has collapsed after a large container boat collided with it early Tuesday morning.
Reports came in around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday that a large vessel crashed into the bridge carrying north and southbound lanes of Interstate 695, catching on fire before causing multiple vehicles to fall into the Patapsco River below.
At least seven vehicles have collapsed into the water, Baltimore City Fire spokesman Kevin Cartwright confirmed.
Petty officer Matthew West from the Coast Guard in Baltimore said that it was a container ship flying under a Singapore flag that crashed into the bridge. The vessel, called “Dali,” was headed through Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as its final destination, according to Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder maps and data.
The Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X around 2 a.m. that all lanes were closed in both directions for an “incident” on the bridge, and later posted that traffic was being detoured to I-95 and I-895, the department said.
Baltimore Mayor Brendon Scott posted that he was aware of the situation and would be en route to the bridge with other city and state leaders.
“Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” he said in a post on X. — NNN-AGENCIES
