Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses
Mar 26, 2024 8:47:07 GMT
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Post by PaulsLaugh on Mar 26, 2024 8:47:07 GMT
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/mar/26/baltimore-bridge-collapse-ship-collision-francis-scott-key-updates
A portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has collapsed after a cargo ship collided with it early on Tuesday, sending multiple vehicles into the water.
At about 1.30am, a vessel crashed into the bridge, catching fire before sinking. A video posted on X appeared to show much of the 2.6km bridge giving way, as a number of vehicles fell into the water below.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.
Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, said Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore fire department.
He said agencies had received 911 calls about 1.30am, reporting a vessel travelling outbound from Baltimore that had struck a column on the bridge, causing it to collapse. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer.
“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” Cartwright said. He said it was too early to know how many people were affected but described the collapse as a “developing mass casualty event”.
At about 1.30am, a vessel crashed into the bridge, catching fire before sinking. A video posted on X appeared to show much of the 2.6km bridge giving way, as a number of vehicles fell into the water below.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.
Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, said Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore fire department.
He said agencies had received 911 calls about 1.30am, reporting a vessel travelling outbound from Baltimore that had struck a column on the bridge, causing it to collapse. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer.
“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” Cartwright said. He said it was too early to know how many people were affected but described the collapse as a “developing mass casualty event”.
