Baltimore bridge collapses after collision

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in the US city of Baltimore collapsed early yesterday after a large ship collided with it, US media reported, citing video of the incident.

The Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X that all lanes were closed in both directions due to an “incident” on the bridge and that traffic was being redirected.

The US Coast Guard also confirmed the collision but did not give further details. Baltimore police said it had been notified of a “partial bridge collapse” and workers possibly in the water.

Footage on social media showed the bridge collapsing after being struck by the ship.

The cargo ship collided with the bridge around 1.30am local time, according to media reports, before catching fire and sinking while vehicles were crossing the bridge.

Local accounts reported several people in the Patapsco river following the accident.

The 1.6-mile bridge lies on Maryland’s Interstate 695, which encircles Baltimore.

It is said to be the longest in Baltimore, and the world’s third longest continuous truss bridge.

The Associated Press reported that multiple vehicles had fallen into the water.

Ship tracking data from LSEG shows a Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, at the location along the Key Bridge where the accident occurred. The registered owner of the ship is Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and the manager is Synergy Marine Group, LSEG data show.

Synergy said it would issue a statement on the incident. Reuters could not immediately reach Grace Ocean for comment.

“I’m aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge ... Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said on X. – AFP/Reuters