Six people missing after ship destroys US bridge

A container ship lost power and crashed into a major bridge in the US city of Baltimore yesterday, causing it to snap in several places and plunge into the river below.

The operators of the ship issued a mayday call moments before the crash that took down the bridge, enabling authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the span.

The ship crashed into one of the bridge’s supports, causing the structure to break apart like a toy.

Two people were rescued from the water, and officials said six are unaccounted for. All were believed to be those working on the bridge when it collapsed.

It tumbled into the water in a matter of seconds – a shocking spectacle that was captured on video and widely posted on social media.

The vessel caught fire and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.

The FBI said there was no credible information to suggest terrorism.

The crash happened long before the busy morning commute in what one official called a “developing mass casualty event”.

Brandon Scott, mayor of Baltimore, said: “Never would you think you would physically see the Key Bridge tumble down.”

He added: “It looked like something out of an action movie, an unthinkable tragedy.”

President Joe Biden said he planned to travel to Baltimore “as quickly as I can” and he intends for the federal government to pick up the cost of rebuilding the bridge.

“This is going to take some time,” Mr Biden said.

“The people of Baltimore can count on us every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt.”

Authorities said a crew of unknown size was working on the bridge at the time of the collapse and sonar had detected cars in the water, which is about 50ft deep.

Synergy Marine Group – which manages the ship, called the Dali – confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge while it was in the control of two pilots, who are local specialists who help navigate vessels safely into ports.

The 985ft long and 157ft wide ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. It said all crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for and there were no injuries.

From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.

The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for shipping on the US’S east coast.

Opened in 1977, the bridge is named after the writer of The Star-spangled Banner, the US national anthem.

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said all vessel traffic in and out of the port is suspended until further notice.

The Dali was heading from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, under a Singapore flag, according to data from Marine Traffic.

Danish shipping giant Maersk said it had chartered the vessel, which was carrying its customers’ cargo, though no Maersk crew and personnel were on board.

The collapse caused Maersk shares to plummet 2% in trading yesterday.

“Never would you think you’d see the Key Bridge tumble down

MAYDAY CALL: Twisted metal remnants of the bridge after the Dali crashed into it.

A main pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck and collapsed, taking large sections of the structure down.