Baltimore Key Bridge Collapses After Major Hit By A Ship

According to reports, 20 people have been in the Patapsco River after a cargo ship hit the Baltimore Key Bridge. The Baltimore key bridge collapses after it was hit by the cargo ship earlier today.

According to officials, this unfortunate event is a mass casual incident. A major bridge in the US city, Baltimore key bridge collapses after a major hit by a cargo ship. Per online footages spotted by GlobalCurrent24.com, saw the 1.6 mile-long Baltimore Key Bridge fall into the Patapsco River. This unfortunate event occurred around 5:30 am, UK time. The Baltimore Key Bridge is also known as the Francis Scott Key Bridge. In the footage spotted, saw other vehicles fall into the river from the collapsed bridge. According to the local fire service in Baltimore, about 20 people are in the river upon the collision.

The Chief of Baltimore’s fire service, James Wallace, updated the press this morning on the unfortunate event that occurred. He revealed that, two people out of the estimated 20 people have been rescued from the river. One of the two rescued victims, is in critical condition and the other was not injured. He again added that, authorities and officials are doing everything possible to rescue the others from the river.

Mr Wallace revealed that communications are ongoing with the crew of the cargo ship. Also, there are numerous vehicles in the river that were  detected by a Sonar device.

Governor for Maryland, Moore upon this unfortunate event, declared a state of emergency. With this, the intense search for the other victims in the river continues. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the US, the temperature of the Baltimore river is around 9 to 10 degree Celsius.

Baltimore City Fire Department’s director of communications, Kevin Cartwright, tagged this unfortunate event as a mass casualty. He added that this incident could last for many days, and the sole aim is to rescue many of the victims affected by the collapse of the Baltimore bridge.

Mr Kevin Cartwright emphasized on the irrelevancy of finding the number of people affected by this mass casualty. He stated that the situation is that of a complex one and needs to be resolved immediately.

The cargo ship which collided with the bridge was heading to Sri Lanka in Colombo. The ship is known as Dali. CCTV footages and data from the MarineTraffic revealed 60 seconds before the collision happened.

Currently, more than 10 boats are involved in the rescue mission. The Dali ship, in 2016 was involved in a minor collision in Belgium at the Antwerp Port. The collision resulted in no injuries.

According to the company that owns the Dali ship, Synergy Marine Group, all the cargo’s crew members, with the inclusion of its two pilots, are safe and sound and no further reports of injuries as well.

Director of Maritime Risk and Safety Consultants Ltd, David McFarlane, revealed that the likely cause of this unfortunate event is a failure in steering gear, hence, not a human error.

The major destruction of the bridge has affected mass transportation in the area.

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