"Breaking: US Bridge Collapses in Baltimore After Cargo Ship Collision"

 

**US Bridge Collapses After Cargo Ship Collision**

In the early hours of Tuesday, chaos ensued in Baltimore as the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed following a collision with a cargo ship, announced the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA).

According to a social media update by MTA on platform X, the collapse of the I-695 Key Bridge was attributed to a collision with a ship. The MTA urged drivers to steer clear of the route over the Patapsco River, describing the area as an "active scene."

Initially, the MTA reported the closure of interstate lanes in both directions due to an "incident" on the bridge, with traffic being redirected as a precautionary measure.

NBC News received confirmation from a spokesperson of the Baltimore Police Department, Detective Niki Fennoy, indicating that individuals might have been in the water following the collapse.

"At 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge," Detective Fennoy stated.

MarineTraffic, a ship monitoring website, displayed the presence of a Singapore-flagged container vessel, named the Dali, beneath the bridge during the early hours of Tuesday.

Both Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr acknowledged the incident and confirmed ongoing rescue efforts.

"Please pray for those impacted," Olszewski shared on X, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

The aftermath of the collision and bridge collapse underscores the need for swift and coordinated response efforts to ensure the safety of individuals affected by the incident.

**Source:** AFP