Devastating Images Emerge of Bridge Collapse in Light of Day
As the sun rose over the East Coast, the daylight laid bare the devastation that took place early Tuesday morning when a container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River, and cars crossing it fell into the water, where they have yet to be found. According to firefighters at the scene, workers were also reportedly on the bridge at the time of the collision, but that was not confirmed. NBC News reported that family members of employees of Brawny Builders Inc. had gathered at a nearby convenience store and were waiting for word on their status.
Baltimore City Fire Department spokesman Kevin Cartwright earlier said that the incident was being treated as a “developing mass casualty event.” As of this writing, at least seven people are unaccounted for following the collapse, and two people were rescued from the water; one of those victims was hospitalized with serious injuries. Sonar also detected cars that were still submerged. Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James Wallace said the number of missing was a “dynamic count” and not a hard number.
It is still unclear what happened on the container ship that caused it to careen into the bridge, but a White House official told NBC News that there doesn’t seem to be “nefarious intent.” The White House said it was monitoring the situation, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has also offered assistance:
I’ve spoken with Gov. Moore and Mayor Scott to offer USDOT’s support following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge. Rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 26, 2024
The company that manages the DALI container ship, Synergy Marine Group, said in a statement that all 22 members of the ship’s crew were accounted for and uninjured. They are also cooperating with federal and state officials.
Watch the video above via MSNBC.
