A horrifying scene captured the nation’s attention early Tuesday when a major bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed after being hit by a container ship, sending a car into the Patapsco River and prompting search and rescue efforts. A tragedy unfolds.
of key bridge A section of Interstate 695 completed in 1977, it was named after Francis Scott Key, who painted the Star-Spangled Banner near the same spot on the river. The length of the bridge was 2.6 miles.
Check this out: Video (partially sped up) with a detailed breakdown of the entire accident where container ship collided with Key Bridge: pic.twitter.com/Hw67SHzjKl
— DMV News Live (@DCNewsLive) March 26, 2024
Six construction workers who were repairing holes in the bridge when it collapsed early Tuesday morning are still missing. The Baltimore Sun reported that two workers were rescued.
Emergency services were searching for survivors.
Video of the accident shows black smoke billowing from the stack and the container ship’s lights flashing just before the container ship collided with the support structure. Within seconds, the bridge collapsed into the river at around 1:20 a.m. local time.
In 2023, the bridge carried an average of 34,000 vehicles per day, for a total of 12.4 million vehicles per year, according to . baltimore sun.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issued a statement Tuesday saying he is in close contact with local and national officials. He declared a state of emergency.
New: Governor Wes Moore’s Statement on Key Bridge Collapse @nbc washington pic.twitter.com/kZHs1XGGhY
— Michael Pegram (@MichaelPNews) March 26, 2024
“We would like to thank the brave men and women working to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety,” Moore said. “As we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy, we will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local governments conducting relief efforts.”
US Senator Ben Cardin said: baltimore sun “What’s been made clear is that ships lose power, and when they lose power, they lose the ability to maneuver.”
“But they are conducting a thorough investigation,” he said.
Moore told a news conference that the tragedy could have been much worse. That’s because the ship’s crew issued a “mayday” signal, allowing Maryland Transit Authority police on the bridge to block other vehicles from entering.
“These guys are heroes,” Moore said Tuesday morning. “They saved lives last night.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott called on the public to pray.
“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” Scott said at a news conference. “First and foremost, we must pray for all those affected and their families, pray for our first responders, and thank them all for their cooperation. ”
Image credit: ©Getty Images / Win McNamee / staff
Michael Faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His story was published in Baptist Press. Christianity Today, Christian Poecent, of leaf chronicle, of toronto star and of knoxville news sentinel.
