Baltimore, Maryland (March 26, 2024) A major tragedy unfolded in Baltimore Harbour early on Tuesday morning when a massive cargo ship lost power and collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a section to crumble into the icy water below. Six workers who were performing maintenance on the bridge are presumed dead, with search and rescue efforts suspended due to worsening conditions.
The Singapore-flagged container vessel, named Dali, was departing Baltimore for Sri Lanka when it struck a support column of the bridge around 1:30 am. The impact caused a significant portion of the 1.6-mile bridge to collapse, sending vehicles and people plunging into the river.
Thankfully, heroic action by officials who stopped traffic on the bridge upon notification of the power failure on the Dali prevented further casualties. Two survivors were pulled from the water, with one requiring hospitalisation. All eight individuals were part of a work crew conducting pothole repairs on the bridge.
Search Efforts Halted, Recovery Mission Begins
With treacherous conditions hampering divers amidst debris-filled waters, the U.S. Coast Guard and Maryland State Police were forced to suspend active search operations after roughly 18 hours. Efforts will now shift towards recovering the remains of the missing workers when divers can safely return to the water on Wednesday morning.
The cause of the accident is believed to be the power failure reported by the Dali before impact. There is no indication of foul play at this time.
Major Disruption to Shipping Anticipated
The closure of the bridge, a crucial artery for freight movement on the East Coast, is expected to have a significant and prolonged impact on supply chains. The Port of Baltimore, the nation’s leader in automobile cargo handling, will be severely affected. While companies like General Motors and Ford are rerouting shipments, the disruption is likely to be minimal for them.
The 948-foot Dali reportedly experienced a temporary loss of propulsion and deployed its anchors as part of emergency procedures before colliding with the bridge. All 22 crew members are said to be safe.
Presidential Response and Bridge Rebuild Efforts
President Joe Biden commended the swift response of the Coast Guard and Maryland officials, and pledged federal support for rebuilding the bridge. He intends to visit Baltimore as soon as possible. The bridge, named after the author of the American national anthem, opened in 1977.
The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team of investigators to the scene, with personnel from Singaporean safety agencies expected to arrive on Wednesday.
The collapse is being likened to the I-35W bridge disaster in Minneapolis in 2007, which tragically claimed 13 lives. The Dali was also involved in an incident in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016, and reportedly had deficiencies identified during an inspection in Chile in 2023.
The impact on Baltimore extends beyond the economic ramifications. Residents are left in shock after witnessing a piece of their city’s infrastructure vanish in a matter of moments. The focus now turns to recovering the bodies of the missing workers, rebuilding the bridge, and ensuring the safety of future maritime operations in the Baltimore Harbour.