Baltimore has been hit by disaster. A Maersk-operated containership hit a pylon on the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bridge collapsed immediately. A fire broke out on board the vessel.
The accident happened at 01:28 hours local time. According to local media, at least seven vehicles, including a truck, fell off the bridge. At least 20 people are currently missing, including motorists and some workers carrying out maintenance on the bridge.
The 9,962 TEU ship is owned by the Singaporean Grace Ocean (a local subsidiary of Mitsui&Co). It was heading for Colombo (Sri Lanka) when it hit the bridge. A video highlights how the vessel lost power, going off course just before it crashed into one of the bridge’s pylons. As a result, the ship caught fire and sank.
There are no reports of injuries on board. No oil spills have been reported.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said that a multi-agency team had been put together to quickly bring in federal resources provided by the Biden administration as they continue to stay in touch with rescue workers and assess and respond to this tragedy, He declared a state of emergency due to the bridge collapsing.
Translation by Giles Foster