Baltimore bridge collapse update as fire boss confirms ‘multi-agency rescue’ underway
According to BBC
Here is a summary of what we know so far:
- The Francis Scott Key Bridge snapped and collapsed into the water at around 01:30 local time (05:30 GMT) after a container ship crashed into it
- Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with six people still missing. They are believed to be part of a construction crew that was fixing potholes on the bridge at the time it collapsed
- Two others have been rescued, one of whom is in hospital
- A mayday signal was sent when the ship was approaching the bridge, Maryland governor Wes Moore said, which stopped cars coming on the bridge and “saved lives”
- The FBI says there is no credible link to terrorism
- Federal emergency response funds will be released to aid the response
- The Port of Baltimore remains closed to ships, and officials say they are unsure when it will be reopened
In the early hours of March 26, Baltimore’s vibrant harbor was jolted by a horrific collision that was to shatter both lives and infrastructure. A massive 948-foot container ship, the Dali, slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, sending a portion of the bridge tumbling into the frigid depths of the Patapsco River. In the chaos and destruction, a frantic race to the top began as rescue teams adapted to the rough-hewn seas.
When the clock passed after 1:30 a.m., the calm of the night was jolted by the Dali’s loss of control, which was carrying it toward the unsuspecting bridge. Despite the frantic warnings that the ship’s crew made to Maryland authorities, the baltimore inevitable collision occurred, creating a massive explosion of debris that would plunge the ship into the frigid depths of the river. Witnesses tell tales of horror as carts and working people were thrown into the strait, their boats drowned in a sea of destruction.
After the collision, the true scale of the tragedy began to unfold. With only two survivors pulled from the water in the early morning light, the fate of the survivors still hung heavy in the air. Behind frigid temperatures and dangerous conditions, Baltimore rescue efforts proceeded, fueled by a relentless drive to save lives.
The challenges facing rescue teams were daunting. Navigating through the debris and darkness, they grappled with the harsh reality of a multi-generational kill site. Sonar technology revealed mysterious vehicles littering the river bed, while reports emerged of working people trapped among them, making rescue missions even more difficult.
Responding to the crisis, Maryland Governor Wes Moore quickly declared a state of emergency, mobilizing aid and support to aid the rescue effort. From top to bottom, a coordinated response unfolded, involving a variety of agencies, from the Maryland State Police to the United States Coast Guard, in a race against time.
Amid the quasi-conflict, stories of heroism and unity emerged. Helicopters circled overhead, dropping hopeful rays into the darkness, while dive teams dove into the frigid waters in search of survivors. United as a force, these brave women and men defined the human spirit in a crisis of any time.
With the nation’s people rising from the depths of conflict, questions arose over the consequences of the collision. The crew’s owners quickly reassured the public, confirming the safety of all crew members and dismissing rumors of foul play. Yet, in ruins and fragments, the search for answers continued, evidencing the need for transparency and accountability in the days ahead.
In the halls of power, leaders of the political class rallied to support the city. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Pete Buttigieg joined Mayor Scott and Governor Moore, pledging to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Baltimore in their time of need.
As the sun rose over a city shaken by a disaster, the full scale of the loss came hard to bear. Lives were lost, families were torn apart, and a community had to deal with the consequences of a disaster that would leave its collective psychological impact for years. Yet, in the devastation, there was a glimmer of hope—evidence of a city’s will and resolve to rebuild.