In the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 24th, 2023, a major bridge in Baltimore underwent a catastrophic collapse after being hit by a large container ship, sending dozens of vehicles and up to 20 people plummeting into the frigid waters below.
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Bridge Details
The bridge was identified as the Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the writer of America’s national anthem. Some key details on the bridge:
- Age: Originally built in 1977, making it over 45 years old
- Size: 1.6 miles long (2.6 km), 4 traffic lanes
- Capacity: Handles over 31,000 vehicles per day
- Importance: Critical link carrying Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River; major artery in Baltimore regional transportation network
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Collision With the M/V Dali Container Ship
According to ship tracking data, the M/V Dali, a Singapore-flagged container ship, struck a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge around 1:30 am local time:
- Ship Size & Details
- Registered in Singapore, operated by Synergy Marine Group
- Headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Length of 200 meters, capacity of over 500 containers
- Observations Before Collision
- Appeared to have lost power twice, with smoke observed from the stack
- Traveling at speed under the bridge when a collision occurred
- Aftermath: Containers damaged/toppled, some reported unstable for rescue crews
Bridge Collapse Sequence
- Based on eyewitness statements and dramatic video footage, the bridge experienced the following collapse sequence after being struck by the Dali:
- The bow of the ship hits the bridge support footingDestruction spreads to adjacent support areas
- Road Deck, vehicles topple into Patapsco River below
- Larger sections break off in chunks, crashing into the water and shoreline
- Sparks seen, potentially from power lines or other ignited fuel/materials
Rescue Efforts Underway But Complicated
Massive rescue efforts mobilized quickly, but have been complicated by several factors:
- Up to 20 people believed to have fallen into vehicles
- ~48 degrees Fahrenheit water temperatures reduce survival window
- An unstable debris field limits access below the bridge
- Response hampered due to debris
Casualty Estimates Still Uncertain
- With rescue attempts still hindered, casualties remain unclear but some estimates:
- Potentially a tractor-trailer and other vehicles on the bridge when collapsedBetween vehicles and people on the road deck itself, at least a dozen casualties likely
- The fire chief indicates as many as 20 people may have plunged into the water
- Exact death and injury totals not yet available
While the cause remains under investigation, the following factors will likely be examined as potentially contributing to the disaster:
- Human error – possible pilot or mechanical failure aboard Dali?
- Weather conditions as a factor? Strong currents? Limited visibility?
- The structural integrity of the aging bridge – relief for replacement requested previously
The consequences of this tragic event will be felt for some time:
- Short term: Collapse severs key transportation artery through the metro region
- Long-term: Environmental impacts from vehicles, and materials entering Patapsco River
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Conclusion and Next Steps
The rescue attempts continue as officials also begin planning both cleanup efforts and how to eventually replace or repair the vital I-695 crossing. Support for crash survivors as well as the many commute disruption hardships still ongoing throughout Baltimore.
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