Dispatch audio from emergency responders captured the tense atmosphere after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, completely destroying it early Tuesday morning.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said operators of the Dali cargo ship had issued warnings that the ship had lost power shortly before the collision, but the ship was still heading toward the bridge at “very high speeds.” He said it was progressing.
The 985-foot-long vessel struck one of the supports of the 2.6-mile-long bridge, causing it to collapse and falling into the water within seconds.
Emergency responders could be heard on dispatch audio stating that construction workers were working on the bridge during the collapse and that “the number of those workers is unknown.” . [were] It’s in the water.” That prompted the calling of a diving team.
Photo: Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Maryland
Aerial view of the cargo ship Dali, which collapsed after colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Tassos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Later in the call, another dispatcher said a “major portion” of the bridge had collapsed into the water, causing the vehicle to “plummet and become submerged.” Dispatchers also said police began blocking vehicles from entering the bridge.
Another dispatcher described it as a “mass casualty” incident.
“Could you please notify all local hospitals in the area?” the dispatcher says.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore opened on March 23, 1977, according to a Facebook post shared on its anniversary on March 23, 2024. (Maryland Department of Transportation Facebook)
Two people were later reported to have been rescued. Six construction workers repairing holes in the bridge were still missing Tuesday afternoon and presumed dead. Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Browner Builders, said he was working in the middle of the span when it came apart.
The ship, owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Limited, was traveling at 8 knots per hour, or about 9 miles per hour. The safety of all crew members, including the two pilots, has been confirmed, and there are no reports of injuries on board.
A view of the Dali cargo ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. (Reuters/Julia Nickinson)
Ship information system Equasis said an inspection of the Dali at a Chilean port in June last year revealed problems with the ship’s “propulsion system and auxiliary machinery.” The defects involved gauges and thermometers, but the website’s online records did not provide details.
A view of the Dali cargo ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
The most recent inspection was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard in New York in September. According to Equasis data, no defects were found during “standard testing.”
Federal inspectors deemed the 47-year-old bridge in good condition, but experts said the structure likely lacked pier protection to withstand a crash.
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The ship successfully raised the alarm and authorities were able to restrict vehicular traffic between the bridges. The accident occurred at 1:30 a.m., well before the busy morning hours.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Curto contributed to this report.
