The Baltimore Bridge collapses after being struck by a container ship.
The Baltimore bridge collapses into the Patapsco River on Tuesday after being struck by a container.
After the incident, rescue workers in Baltimore are scrambling to save the lives of dozens of people following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The accident left a dozen cars and workers hit into the water
Consequences of the collision with a container ship, the Singaporean-flagged "Dali," caused the bridge to crumble, leaving dozens of people and vehicles in the water.
According to the report, at least a dozen cars and 20 construction workers were on the bridge when it collapsed.
The water temperature is a dangerous 47 degrees Fahrenheit, raising concerns about hypothermia for those who have fallen in.
The cause of the collapse Baltimore Bridge collapses
According to witnesses, there was an explosion on the container ship as it struck the bridge. This impact caused concrete being poured on the bridge, shipping containers, and diesel fuel to spill into the water.
The 948-foot "Dali" came to a halt under the bridge after the collision. Thankfully, all crew members are reported safe. Coast Guard search and rescue vessels were deployed to the scene around 3:00 am Eastern Time.
The horrific scene of the bridge collapse, which sits 180 feet above the river, was captured on video. Baltimore Fire Department communications director, Kevin Cartwright, described the situation as "a dire emergency."
The collapsed bridge, named after the writer of the Star-Spangled Banner, carries approximately 30,000 vehicles daily and was built in 1977.
Now, the rescue team effort to an attempt to save
'Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,' Cartwright said. He said it's too early to know how many people were affected but called the collapse a 'developing mass casualty event.'
Cartwright added that precarious conditions caused by hanging debris are forcing emergency responders to proceed with caution.
On social media, several videos captured the moment of the disaster as the ship collided with a support structure, leaving several users stunned.
One person said: This has got to be in the top 10 list of nightmare scenarios to experience. I can’t imagine being on that bridge, feeling it move beneath my seat and the see and feeling the bridge falling down knowing it’s probably game over.
A second wrote: Those cars on the bridge and survivors will have lifelong ptsd and I feel for them.
While a third commented: The vehicles you see are construction vehicles. There were also construction workers on the bridge at the time. I hope they are all found safe.
Someone else said: Many won’t be ok. All those tons of metal crashing on top will be devastating. I hate to say it but there will be many casualties
Another added: Imagine if this happened in rush hour. There are a few cars on the bridge though, those poor people.
Watching the video below:
