A segment of a bridge in Maryland collapsed after a large boat collided with it, causing several vehicles to plunge into the water below.
The incident occurred around 1:30 am local time when a sizable vessel struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, igniting a fire before sinking, as captured in a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Emergency responders, led by Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, launched search efforts for at least seven individuals believed to be in the water. Calls to 911 reported the vessel’s collision with a bridge column around the same time.
Multiple vehicles, including one resembling a tractor-trailer, were present on the bridge during the collision. Cartwright emphasized the ongoing mission to rescue and recover those affected, terming the event a “developing mass casualty event.”
The collapse prompted the closure of all lanes in both directions of the I-695 Key Bridge, with traffic being rerouted, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott confirmed awareness of the incident via X, stating his en route to the site and highlighting ongoing emergency response efforts.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, operational since 1977, spans 2.57 kilometers over the Patapsco River, serving as a vital link in Interstate-695, or the Baltimore Beltway. Its namesake, Francis Scott Key, is associated with the bridge’s location, having been inspired to write The Star-Spangled Banner after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry nearby in 1814.
