Mass Casualty After Bridge Collapses in Maryland: Watch Video

In Maryland, USA, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the water shortly after a large container ship collided with one of its pillars. Shocking footage captured the collision and subsequent bridge collapse, showing a fiery explosion on the container ship as the bridge above shook, fractured, and plunged into the water, impacting the night traffic.

The incident occurred at 01:30 ET (05:30 GMT) on Tuesday, March 26.

The road surface shows lights from what appears to be vehicles as the bridge bends and collapses in segments, with the third section tilting upward before also plunging into the water.

Kevin Cartwright from the Baltimore Fire Department stated to the Baltimore Sun that they suspect there were vehicles, possibly including a tractor-trailer, that fell into the water during the collapse. He noted that “the entire bridge” had collapsed.

A spokesperson from the Baltimore Police Department informed the media that individuals may be in the river. Detective Niki Fennoy confirmed that at 1:35 am, Baltimore City police received reports of a partial bridge collapse at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, possibly involving workers in the water.

The 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) four-lane bridge stretches across the Patapsco River southwest of Baltimore city. It was opened in 1977 and serves more than 11 million vehicles annually, playing a significant role in Baltimore’s road network as an industrial city on the US East Coast near Washington DC.

The Maryland Transportation Authority advised drivers to avoid the bridge, which is part of the I-695 interstate highway, labeling it an “active scene.”

According to MarineTraffic, a Singapore-flagged container ship named the Dali was stopped under the bridge early Tuesday.

Both Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr acknowledged the incident and reported ongoing rescue operations. Olszewski urged for prayers for those affected.