‘Mass casualty event’ as Baltimore Key Bridge collapses

1. In pictures: Ship wedged between bridge as rescue efforts continue

   For those of you just joining us, Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed in the early hours after a container ship collided with it, and as many as 20 people may be in the water.

   Kevin Cartwright, director of communications of the Baltimore City Fire Department, now says temperatures around the port are around 30 °F (-1°C), where a team of divers are carrying out search and rescue operations.

   

   BBCCopyright: BBC

   

   EPACopyright: EPA

   

   ReutersCopyright: Reuters

2. Baltimore port is largest in US for specialised cargo

   Data from MarineTraffic, a ship tracking platform, shows a lot of congestion in the area around the bridge, with increased traffic of anchored vessels further south, between the city of Annapolis and Kent Island.

   The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore is the largest port in the US for specialised cargo (specifically for wheeled cargo, such as trucks and trailers) and bulk handling facilities.

   It is estimated that around 800,000 vehicles passed through the port in 2023, moving a record 1.3 million tons of imported cargo.

   

   .Copyright: .

3. Watch the latest developments live on our stream

   As well as bringing you text updates on the bridge collapse, you can see what’s happening from around the scene live by clicking Play on our stream at the top of this page.

   It’s coming up to 05:30 ET (09:30 GMT) in Baltimore, Maryland, and several search agencies are at the scene to rescue up to 20 people from the water.

4. Water temperature below 10C in harbour, officials say

   The temperature in Baltimore Harbour is currently 9C (48F), according the US National Data Buoy Centre.

   According to the NHS, hypothermia can occur when a person’s body temperature drops below 35C (normal body temperature is around 37C).

5. Bridge support is a ‘relatively flimsy structure’, says engineer

   

   BBCCopyright: BBC

   We’ve just been hearing from Ian Firth, a structural engineer and bridge designer.

   He says a heavy ship like the Dali will impart a very large load of many thousands of tonnes when it hits something solid, such as a bridge support.

   “The support is a very, relatively, flimsy structure when you look at it, it’s a kind of trestle structure with individual legs”, he says. “So, the bridge has collapsed simply as a result of this very large impact force.”

   The vessel should have been going, of course, down the centre of the channel some 350 metres (1,150ft) wide, Firth says, “but for whatever reason it must have strayed off and has hit the support”.

6. Tractor-trailer was on bridge as it collapsed, says fire department

   

   ReutersCopyright: Reuters

   A large tractor-trailer was on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed, the Baltimore City Fire Department tells the BBC’s US partner, CBS News.

   The department says there was lots of diesel fuel in the water around the ship that struck the bridge.

   It adds that “the dive and rescue team has arrived on scene to locate the individuals” in the water – its last update said up to 20 workers were believed to have fallen into the river.

7. The sense from authorities is this is extremely serious

   

   Simon Jones

   Senior reporter

   This is clearly a major incident developing, and has prompted a major response from the emergency services.

   It was at about 1:30am local time that a large container ship hit this bridge and then really, the pictures tell the story – the bridge completely collapsed into the river below.

   We understand the container ship is actually flagged in Singapore. Often container ships have flags from different countries – it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re from that country, but it’s from where they are overseen.

   This has been declared as a mass casualty incident – that really gives us a sense of the seriousness of the situation.

   Authorities don’t declare an incident to be a mass casualty event unless it is extremely serious.

8. No injuries among ship crew, company says

   Shipping company Synergy Marine Group confirms that its Singapore-flagged container ship ‘Dali’ has collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

   “Whilst the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the ‘Dali’ has now mobilised its Qualified Individual Incident response service,” it says.

   All crew members, including the two pilots who were aboard, have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries, it adds.

9. WATCH: ‘The bridge is gone’ – Witness video shows aftermath of collapse

   We have more footage now, this time taken by a witness in the aftermath of the Baltimore bridge collapse.

   Panning his camera over the area where bridge formally stood, Bobby Gattus says: “If you want to know what the ‘bang’ was, a ship hit the [Francis Scott] Key Bridge.

   “The bridge is gone. Holy hell.”

   Video content

10. As many as 20 workers in the river – Baltimore fire chief

    As many as 20 workers are believed to have fallen into the Patapsco River following the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse, says Baltimore City Fire Department communications chief.

    He says the situation is likely to change as more details emerge.

11. WATCH: Moment Baltimore bridge collapses

    Video content

    We can now bring you footage of the moment that Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed.

    A large vessel collided with the bridge at around 01:30 local time (05:30 GMT), causing the full length of the structure to give way and plunge into the water.

12. Ship tracking data shows moment of bridge collision

    

    LSEGCopyright: LSEG

    The Key Bridge in the US city of Baltimore was struck by the Singapore-flagged Dali container ship, according to ship tracking data.

    The vessel is 300m long and was on its way to Colombo in Sri Lanka.

    On marine radars, the Dali departed from the terminal at Port Breeze at around 12:45am ET (4:45am GMT).

    It travelled towards the Francis Scott Key Bridge but became stationary at the site of the bridge 45 minutes later.

    Air traffic radars show that police helicopters have been circling the area repeatedly.

13. ‘Mass casualty event’ at scene – fire department

    

    BBCCopyright: BBC

    A Baltimore City Fire Department spokesperson has confirmed that the Baltimore bridge collapse is a “mass casualty event”.

    The numbers of casualties are yet to be confirmed but we will bring you the latest updates from the emergency services shortly.

14. Baltimore Bridge collapse: Get in touch

    

    BBC NewsCopyright: BBC News

    Were you in the area? Did you witness the incident?

    If it is safe to do so, you can also get in touch in the following ways:

    • Email [email protected]
    • WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
    • Upload your pictures and video
    • Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
    • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

    In some cases a selection of your comments and questions will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.

15. Seven people in the water after bridge collapse, authorities say

    If you’re just joining us, we’re bringing you live coverage of the Key Bridge in the US city of Baltimore which has collapsed. Here’s what you need to know:

    • A bridge in the US city of Baltimore was hit by a “large vessel” at around 01:30am ET (05:30 GMT) causing it to collapse
    • Seven people and several vehicles fell into the water and there is now a large scale rescue operation under way, the fire department says
    • Workers are possibly in the water, police say, after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed

    • There are no official reports of casualties at this time and the US Coastguard and other Maryland state agencies have joined the rescue and recovery operation

16. Bridge forms part of major highway

    

    Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

    The bridge that collapsed in Baltimore is called the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Key Bridge for short.

    It is is 3km (1.6 mile) long and is part of the 695 highway that circles Baltimore

17. ‘Pray for those impacted,’ says Baltimore County chief

    Baltimore County executive, Johnny Olszewski Jr, says rescue efforts are under way following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the city.

    Posting on social media, Olszewski Jr says: “I am aware of the situation at the Key Bridge and remain in regular communication with my Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Operations.”

    “Rescue efforts are underway. Please pray for those impacted.”

18. Workers possibly in the water, police say

    Baltimore’s city police have just confirmed with us that it is possible that there are workers in the water after the Key Bridge collapse.

    Earlier, we heard that as many as seven people and several vehicles had fallen into the river.

19. Baltimore mayor en route to the scene

    Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott says he is aware of the incident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the city, and is in contact with local authorities.

    Scott says: “I’m aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge… Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway.”

    There are no reports of casualties after the bridge collapsed early this morning, but seven people and several vehicles are reported to have entered the water.

20. All lanes closed after Baltimore bridge collapse

    The Maryland Transport Authority confirms that all lanes have been closed in both directions due to an “incident” on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the US city of Baltimore.

    Traffic is being diverted, it says, either along the I-95 interstate through the city, or harbour tunnel.

Latest Post