Baltimore bridge collapses

A tragedy struck Baltimore earlier this week on Tuesday, March 26th, when a major bridge collapsed. The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital artery for the city, crumbled into the Patapsco River after a cargo ship lost power and rammed into a support column.

The incident resulted in a devastating loss of life. Six individuals, believed to be construction workers on the bridge at the time, are presumed dead. Thankfully, a last-minute Mayday call from the cargo ship's crew alerted authorities, who were able to limit traffic on the bridge before the impact, potentially preventing further casualties.

The aftermath of the collapse is far-reaching. Recovery efforts are underway to locate the missing workers, but the focus has unfortunately shifted towards a retrieval operation. The bridge itself faces extensive reconstruction, likely causing significant disruptions to the Port of Baltimore's operations for months to come.

This is a developing story, and more information regarding the cause of the power loss on the cargo ship and the extent of damage to the bridge will likely be available in the coming days.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, once a vital artery carrying Interstate 695 traffic across the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, is now undergoing a complex rebuilding effort. 

Opened in 1977, the bridge held the distinction of being the second-longest in the Baltimore area and boasted the third-longest continuous truss span worldwide. 

It was named after Francis Scott Key, the lawyer who penned the lyrics to the American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Tragically, on March 26, 2024, the bridge's central span suffered a catastrophic collapse. 

A cargo vessel, the MV Dali, lost power and struck a support pillar, sending the bridge plummeting into the water. 

The incident caused fatalities among construction workers who were on the bridge for repairs at the time.

The aftermath involved suspending all maritime traffic in and out of the busy Baltimore Port. 

Baltimore Port

The collapse's impact went beyond the immediate loss of life, significantly disrupting travel and commerce in the region. Currently, the focus is on rebuilding the bridge to restore this critical transportation link.