NewsKey Bridge collapse in Baltimore after ship collision, 7 missing
Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore after ship collision, 7 missing
1:02 PM EDT, March 26, 2024
The Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed on Tuesday morning Eastern Time following a collision with a container ship, as reported by Fox News. The incident, which resulted in the bridge's support being struck, has led to an ongoing search for at least seven individuals, with their fates currently unknown.
Kevin Cartwright, Communications Director at the Baltimore Fire Department, detailed to The Baltimore Sun that the entire structure plunged into the Patapsco River. Further reports from local station WTOP news highlighted that numerous vehicles, caught on the bridge at the time of the accident, were submerged. Disturbing video footage shared on the X platform showed the ship engulfed in flames before sinking. Rescue operations have since been initiated.
As the search for the missing continues, Cartwright noted the presence of passenger cars and a truck on the bridge during the calamity. While the exact number of vehicles remains uncertain, the focus remains on locating the missing seven individuals.
Constructed in the 1970s, the Key Bridge boasted a main span of 1,200 feet and a total length of 8,629 feet, serving over 11 million vehicles annually. Integral to Interstate 695, the bridge facilitated traffic around Baltimore, contributing to the city's infrastructure as part of the commonly referred to Baltimore Beltway.
