Ship collides with Francis Scott Key Bridge causing collapse

DUNDALK — Six people are missing after a container ship collided with the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River.

The ship named DALI was sailing under a Singapore flag, hauling cargo for the Danish based company, Maersk, to Colombo, Sri Lanka, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

A preliminary investigation revealed the 948-foot vessel lost power around 1:30am Tuesday, before striking a bridge support beam.

At the time of the crash, the bridge was undergoing construction, causing several workers to fall in the water. The bridge has a 185 foot vertical clearance.

AERIAL FOOTAGE OF THE FSK BRIDGE COLLAPSE (Courtesy of WJLA-ABC7):

Scanner traffic offered a glimpse of what happened in the moments leading up to the collapse.

"There's a ship approaching that just lost it's steering."

"If we can stop traffic, make sure no one's on the bridge right now...if there's a crew up there you might want to notify the foreman."

"The whole bridge just fell down," a police officer is heard shouting.

Maryland Transportation officials later confirmed no commuters were on the bridge during the collapse, clearing up original reports suggesting otherwise.

SEE ALSO: History of the Francis Scott Key Bridge

We're told six construction workers are still missing, with search and rescue efforts underway.

Current water temps are not believed to be "survivable for the average adult," according to hospital staff at University of Maryland Medical Center's Shock Trauma.

However, one person rescued has since been treated and released from Shock Trauma.

OFFICIALS PROVIDE LATEST UPDATES:

All 22 crew members aboard the ship, including the pilot, have been accounted for with no major injuries reported.

"The pilot is currently undergoing post-accident Drug and Alcohol Testing," the Department of Homeland Security said in a release.

The National Transportation Safety Board has also taken custody of the ship's voyage data recorder.

Information from the U.S. Department of Transporation Federal Highway Administration shows the Francis Scott Key Bridge met acceptable standards, and the deck superstructure and substructure were in "satisfactory condition" as of May 2023. An estimated 11.5 million vehicles pass over the bridge annually.

The ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., and operated by Synergy Group. It was carrying 4,679 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers, totaling 116,851 pounds.

DALI has two past deficiencies documented with the Coast Guard, one in June 2023 and the other from July 2016.

The latest report mentioned propulsion and auxiliary machinery, including gauges and thermometers.

In 2016 structural conditions were noted, including hull damage which was said to have impaired "seaworthiness."

All travel lanes in both directions of I-695 leading to the 1.6 mile long bridge have been shut down indefinitely.

The State Highway Administration has implemented traffic detours.

"The outer loop I-695 closure has shifted to exit 1/Quarantine Road (past the Curtis Creek Drawbridge) to allow for enhanced local traffic access. The inner loop of I-695 remains closed at MD 157 (Peninsula Expressway). Additionally, the ramp from MD 157 to the inner loop of I-695 will be closed. Drivers should use I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) for north/south routes. Commercial vehicles carrying materials that are prohibited in the tunnel crossings, including recreation vehicles carrying propane, should plan on using I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between Essex and Glen Burnie. This will add significant driving time."

MORE: Here's how traffic is impacted following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

Meanwhile incoming and outgoing ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice. The port is the second busiest in the Mid-Atlantic, serving over 50 ocean carriers and 1,800 yearly visits.

As the investigation continues the United States Coast Guard has set up a 2000-yard safety zone around the scene, impacting area marine traffic.

Amazon and Carnival Cruise Lines issued statements on how they plan to adjust.

"We’re assessing the immediate and future impacts to our employees and delivery partners, as well as the surrounding community and will make any adjustments to our operations that are needed, said Amazon spokesperson, Richard Rocha. "We also stand ready to support the community in any way we can.”

Carnival Cruise Lines initially called it "premature" to shift operations from the Port of Baltimore, but later decided to have their incoming Legend ship dock in Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday.

In response the Port of Virginia expressed a willingness to take in other ships that were headed for Baltimore.

"Our operating team is already working with ocean carriers whose vessels were due to call Baltimore and offering the capability of our port to discharge cargoes as requested" said Joseph D. Harris of the Virginia Port Authority. "The Port of Virginia has a significant amount of experience in handling surges of import and export cargo and is ready to provide whatever assistance we can to the team at the Port of Baltimore."

Prior to arriving at the Port of Baltimore, the Dali departed the Norfolk Harbor on March 22 without incident.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott have each declared a 30-day State of Emergency, making way for quicker access to funding and resources. So far there is no indication of pollution being spilled into the water.

LISTEN TO FULL REMARKS FROM GOV. MOORE:

President Joe Biden addressed the tragedy during an earlier press conference.

He said the federal government would "pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge," which one expert says could take years.

HEAR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S COMPLETE REACTION (pool footage):

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also arrived in Baltimore Tuesday afternoon to lend federal assistance.

The Key Bridge opened in 1972. Back in December 1980 a vessel lost power and collided with its main pier back, which according to a Coast Guard report left a protective concrete structure destroyed.

WMAR-2 News is on the scene and will continue providing updates as they become available.