3/26/24 - A Major Bridge Collapse In Baltimore

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a container ship hits one of the columns.

(BALTIMORE,MD) - It was around 1:30 a.m. today, that the Baltimore Beltway/I-695/ Francis Scott Key bridge over the Patapsco River, collapsed.

The governor declared a state of emergency and a search-and-rescue operation are underway. 

Some vehicles were on the bridge at the time as well as a number of construction workers.   As many as seven people could be unaccounted for.  Two people were rescued.  One was seriously hurt.  

"This is an unthinkable tragedy," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference early Tuesday morning. "This is a tragedy you can never imagine. Never did you think you would see the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of a movie ... Our focus should be the preservation of life."

Authorities say a ship that was transporting cargo, was leaving the Port of Baltimore, when it ran into a portion of the bridge.

The area is a vital artery and is a hub for shipping on the East Coast. 

The Key Bridge opened in 1977, completing the Baltimore Beltway's circumference around the city. The bridge is southeast of the city proper and spanned from Sparrows Point to the southernmost tip of Baltimore.

According to an MDTA report issued in November, the Key Bridge carried more than 12.4 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023.