On Tuesday, March 26th, a container ship collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. The collapse was deemed “a mass casualty incident,” resulting in active search and rescue efforts.
What happened?
Just before 1:30 am, a 948-foot Singapore-flagged container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. This caused a complete collapse, sending people and vehicles into the water. Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, tweeted that “there are no indications this was an intentional act.”
The Francis Scott Key Bridge was made of steel and spanned across the Patapsco River. The bridge was undergoing maintenance but remained open to traffic during construction. Officials say at least seven cars went into the river.
Currently, federal, state, and local resources are mobilizing to locate victims of the tragedy.
Mayor Brandon Scott officially declared a local state of emergency in response to the collapse.
Keep in mind
Drivers
I-695’s southeast corridor is closed off following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The Maryland Transportation Authority issued a major Baltimore traffic alert, advising drivers to use I-95 or I-895 as alternate routes.
The I-695 Outer Loop is closed at Maryland Route 10 (Exit 2) and the Inner Loop is closed at Maryland Route 157 & Peninsula Expressway (Exit 43).
Drone pilots
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued flight restrictions due to the collapse. This is enforced to ensure that rescue operations run as smoothly as possible, keeping drone pilots away from the affected area. You can view the FAA’s full restrictions here.
Mariners
There is also a “2,000-yard safety zone issued for the surrounding waters,” as per a Coast Guard press release. Mariners should avoid the area.