Videos show the “complete collapse” of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26. They also capture the moment the cargo ship crashed into the bridge.
You can see the videos throughout this article. One shows the exact moment the cargo ship rammed into the bridge, causing it to collapse.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said in a news conference that “our response teams are doing everything in our power” to rescue victims. He said the preliminary investigation “points to an accident,” and there is “no credible evidence” of a terrorist attack. He said there were construction workers “on the Key bridge.” The FBI also said there is no evidence of ties to terrorism.
At a press conference about 10 a.m., Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation Paul Wiedefeld said there were eight construction workers on the bridge working on fixing potholes. Six of the workers remain missing, Wiedefeld told reporters. He said two were rescued. One was taken to the hospital and the other refused treatment, he said. Wiedefeld said it is unknown how many vehicles were on the bridge when it collapsed.
The ship left the Port of Baltimore and struck the bridge at 1:30 a.m., causing a “catastrophic collapse,” Wiedefeld said in a news conference.
“We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse working on the bridge, contractors for us,” Wiedefeld said. Video shows cars driving on the bridge right before it was struck.
“Our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water,” Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said, adding that there is a large area to search.
Here’s what you need to know
Authorities Say the ‘Singaporean-Flagged’ Cargo Ship Struck the Baltimore Bridge
Initially, authorities were told that “a ship may have struck the Key bridge,” Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said. Then, he said they received multiple calls that “portions of the Key bridge had actually collapsed.”
Wallace said it’s believed the ship’s crew remains on the vessel.
According to CNN, the cargo ship that struck the Francis Scott Key bridge is “Singaporean-flagged.”
The ship “altered course and veered toward a pillar shortly before impact,” CNN reported citing “ship-tracking data.”
The cause is unclear although CNN reported that the network has inquired about a possible power failure.
The ship is called Dali and was traveling to Colombo, Sri Lanka, CNN reported.
Moore said the bridge was “fully up to code” and had no structural issues. “Our exclusive focus is on saving lives,” Moore said. Moore said the loss of the Key bridge “shakes” people in Baltimore because it’s been a landmark in the city for decades.
He said the cargo ship’s “crew notified authorities of a power issue.”
The Fire Chief Said ‘Multiple People’ Were Likely on the Bridge at the Time of the Collapse
Wallace called the incident “a complete collapse of the Key bridge.”
“There were likely multiple people on the bridge at the time of the collapse and that, as a result, multiple people were on the water. we were able to remove two people from the water,” Wallace said.
One person was not injured. Another person is in “very serious condition” at a local trauma center, he said.
There is a massive search and rescue effort underway with Marine and other assets, according to Wallace.
“Over the next eight to 12 hours, you will expect to continue to see our maritime assets functioning,” Wallace said. Authorities have to do damage assessment before they can board the ship, Wallace said.
In the same news conference, Mayor Brandon Scott called it an “unthinkable tragedy,” calling for prayers. He said that people have to be thinking of the families who were impacted.
The County Executive Johnny Olszewski called it an “unspeakable tragedy” and said authorities know there will be “families and individuals impacted by this.” He said there was a “long road ahead.”
According to Olszewski, the focus is currently on search and rescue efforts.
Wallace said the water is “current influenced.” He said that “we are battling darkness,” although divers are working “closer to the debris field.” Wallace said authorities will rely on experts to tell them when the point is reached of “non survivability.”